Front strut removal tool?

[Ferds]

Hi All,

I am about to replace the front dampers in my struts on my Stag, but I am aware that I need a 'tool' to unscrew the damper from the strut?

Any idea where I get this or what I can use to do this?:?

Thanks

Chris

[Andrew S]

imported post

Hi Chris

I have done this job a few times now and forget the tool. The strut is held in by a screw cap with a hole in and this has a very fine thread. When the cap is screwed down it clamps the insert in place at the last minute and then the top edge where the thread goes is gently tapped in a couple of places to prevent it undoing. Find these points and then put the strut housing in the vice vertically and then using a centre punch tapout where they have nipped the top edge of the thread and then starttapping the screw nut anti-clockwise. Better still, get some one to tap as well so you both unscrew it at the same time on opposite sides. When removed, you will have a new screw nut with the strut and this willgo in easily, but you must pinch the top edge in a few places to stop it undoing again.

Theworst case scenario is that you haveto drill through the screw nut and use something heavier to undo it.

Using heat is another assistance but only if needed.

Good luck

Andrew

[NickA]

imported post

Ferds wrote:

Hi All,

I am about to replace the front dampers in my struts on my Stag, but I am aware that I need a 'tool' to unscrew the damper from the strut?

Any idea where I get this or what I can use to do this?:?

Thanks

Chris

Depends whether you've still got OE struts in place or they've been swapped already with after market. OE if I remember correctly, thescrew in bit had a couple of holes that a special tool fits into to turn.As this bit gets replaces with the new struts [1] I tapped it off with a punch and hammer. If you want a more scientific approach I imagine a bit of bar with a couple of suitably placed bolts would probably do it. With after market it's easy, just hold the strut in a vice and undo the nut with a big spanner.

[1] it did with my Spax's

[NickA]

imported post

Andrew S wrote:

Hi Chris

I have done this job a few times now and forget the tool. The strut is held in by a screw cap with a hole in and this has a very fine thread. When the cap is screwed down it clamps the insert in place at the last minute and then the top edge where the thread goes is gently tapped in a couple of places to prevent it undoing. Find these points and then put the strut housing in the vice vertically and then using a centre punch tapout where they have nipped the top edge of the thread and then starttapping the screw nut anti-clockwise. Better still, get some one to tap as well so you both unscrew it at the same time on opposite sides. When removed, you will have a new screw nut with the strut and this willgo in easily, but you must pinch the top edge in a few places to stop it undoing again.

Theworst case scenario is that you haveto drill through the screw nut and use something heavier to undo it.

Using heat is another assistance but only if needed.

Good luck

Andrew

I remember doing this now, the DPO or factory monkey must have used the larger hammer that day, with the larger chisel. Undoing the nut brokea chunk of thethread off. Had to source a replacement strut.

I didn't bother re-pinching the edge. Just used loktite. I've gone one of my struts stripped on the bench at the moment. Threads not moved in 8 years. It's only apart because the gaitor didn't last.