Changine front strut insert

[seadog]

I've searched but can't find a mention of how to change the front strut insert. Not in the manuals that I have, they don't mention it at all.

How do you get it out of the strut bottom? Looks at though it needs a sort of four-pronged spanned to screw out a retaining nut?

I've just renewed the nearside front spring today, relatively easy but my spring compressors at 235mm were too short to compress the new spring enough (Rimmers supply but 8 coils instead of 7) so I had to do the job with two sets of compressors in two stages, bit of a faff but got it done in the end, whole job about three hours. I then took the offside strut off and laid it on the ground, when I picked it up a couple of minutes later there was a dribble of oil from the side of the damper, it's not coming out where the centre shaft is but at the side of the nut thingy. (if it is a nut???) Whatever, I would think it means that the insert has leaked into the strut leg bottom so is goosed. The other strut didn't leak whilst laid down - no leaks and the damping, testing by hand, seemed ok.

I'll be able to look properly at this one tomorrow when I get the spring off.

The leak is strange though as the leg was completely dry beforehand and the car has just passed it's MOT two days ago. No oil outside on the strut, the gaiters on both sides were shredded so I could see quite clearly that there were no leaks before starting (to rectify the starboard list I previously posted about) so I only ordered the springs, isolators and gaiters for the job.

Now it looks as though I'll have to order two inserts, do this one then take the nearside leg off again and change that insert, can't really do only one, can you? At least the bolts will be ok cos I greased them before reassembly.

I'll start as soon as someone tells me how the insert comes out that is.....................................

[Arbman Al]

The strut housing is filled with oil to aid cooling of the damper. If you laid it down it is possible for some to dribble out. Just clean it off and keep it upright.

Cheers...Al

[flying farmer]

Strut inserts can be a PITA to get out. The top of the strut tube is generally peened over in 4 places to stop the locking ring unwinding.
Knocking the peen out generally damages the thread making the fitting of the new locking ring difficult unless the damage is carefully dressed out first.

All very dependant on how hard it was peened in the first place.

There is a possibility that someone has replaced the inserts in the past and tipped oil down the centre of the strut to help prevent corrosion/ transfer heat from the insert to the outside of the strut, and it is this that is leaking out. If the inserts have previously been replaced there may be signs of previous abuse to the top of the strut tubes.

Neil

[stag8manod]

Hi Seadog, When I changed my cartridges the new ones came with new locking rings/top nuts. When I had them down tight I drilled through the casing and into the locking ring and tapped it 4 mm. The screw I Loctited in. A quick little heat will release the Loctite making disassembly next time so much easier.
Cheers Ian A

[Omen]

When I changed out the inserts, I was able to tip out all the oil that was supposed to be in the insert, but had leaked out and filled the outer. Hence no damping effect at all. I made a Y shaped tool thingy with a couple of bolts thru at relevant points to use as a spanner to remove/replace the locking ring. Worked well on one if I say so myself. The other had a rebate in it to use with a screwdriver/chisel/bolster and hammer to tap it round to remove.

[seadog]

Thanks everyone.
On the one that I changed the spring on, the top looked untouched, so mine maybe original. I did see the peening so that's what it is hmmmmm. I presume then that judicious use of a small pin punch to bend the peened over bits outward, then tap the nut round with a slightly larger pin punch to unscrew it?

It was very thin (and clean looking) oil that leaked out, and looking at the pictures of the damper inserts, the only place for them to leak unless the casing has gone completely, is on the shaft seal and that would be very visible, maybe the legs were filled with oil in the factory then. I'll find out in the morning when I remove the spring and see if I've got any damping.