924Board.org

B · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 487 Location: Ohio

I was going along nice and easy yesterday following the extremely helpful instructions posted here for strut removal and then I ran into a roadblock of sorts. the strut cartridge(?) was stuck in the base by the circular metal ring that fits under the retaining screw to keep the cartridge in place (the large nut with the flat plate on it that you need a pipe wrench to remove). The nut came off with no problem however, the metal ring has somehow been pushed and wedged into the strut base. I have tried soaking, beating and prying it out to no avail. I wanted to use a light application of heat with a torch but I was concerned about the cartridge being flammable. Does anyone have any thoughts on another approach that may work? As always, any help is greatly appreciated

B
_________________
1979 924 n/a
BAE turbo
5-speed snailshell

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Put the strut housing in a big vise to hold it steady, then attach a slide hammer to the strut using the top nut to hammer against.
_________________
1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Ozzie · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

IF you dont have a slide hammer any heavy object with a hole in it will do.
Axe head, hammer head
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

!tom · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

It would be nice to be able to complete the job without removing the strut housing from the car, otherwise you'll need an allignment.

Have you tried drilling a hole in the piece, putting a big sheet-metal screw in the hole and pull on that, with a hammer claw or something like that?

You could try to turn the piece of metal into swiss cheese with a drill, or you could try to cut it out.

My car didn't have those pieces in it when I dissassembled it, and the pieces that came with my stuts didn't fit, so I don't have any in my car.

You could also try to drive something between the edge of the strut housing and the spacer to fold it in, but this might not work well with the insert in place.
_________________
78 924 NA
5-lug

B · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 487 Location: Ohio

thanks everyone
I did not have a slide hammer so I used the nut, vice grip pliers and a 2-1/2 lb weight. a few hits later and it was off - all while leaving the strut mount attached. I have new bushings that will go on the control arm later and then will need an alignment - but for now I can test the new shocks and struts to see if it has made a difference or not.

thanks again
B
_________________
1979 924 n/a
BAE turbo
5-speed snailshell