I'm trying to replace the strut cartridges on my '88 240 and am having major trouble getting the cartridge retaining nut off of the strut housing. I've tried an Air hammer, heat, pipe wrenches. The problem appears to be rust in the threads.

Thanks for any help you can offer,

Pat Levy
levy0013@umn.edu

Try clamping a vicegrip onto the strut shaft in the fenderwell, really tight, then zap it with an air hammer after you find a place for the vicegrip to hit up against to hold it while you hit it with the air hammer at the same time. this is kind of extreme, and it will trash the strut shaft, but it will allow you to hold the shaft (no pun intended HAHAHA).

Soak it several times with PB blaster and let it soak 20 mins between applications. Take a punch and hammer and whop the nut hard
several times with each application. Then try to tighten the nut (sounds weird but often works) with your pipe wrench listening or
feeling for a slight pop. If it does, it should back off. Also wire brush the threads well. If all fails, your last option might be a nut
splitter or use a diamond or carbide bit in an air grinder to cut the nut in several places. Good luck!

bl.

Yeah, pipe wrenches have worked for me, and I do live in the North Eastern US, where rust is also a problem. One thing that may help you out, re-attach the tie rod end loosely to the steering arm, this will help you stabilize the strut housing and keep it from turning while you try to remove the retaining nut. You should have both front wheels off the ground if you are doing this, since you may transmit some turning force to the other front wheel.

Greg

as RHaire sez - you be talking about the gland....nut...(the other guys I think are talking about the top nut.)

1) Lots of PB Blaster
2) Heat - off and on - about 20 times
3) PB Blaster
4) Short sharp taps with a very small ball peen hammer
5) The BIGGEST pipe wrench you can get in there and a 3 ft pipe extension on the end.
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http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

If I read you right you are talking about the gland nut that retains teh strut in the tube? Two real big pipe wrenches always work for me but rust is not much of a problem here (geographically, I mean).

If you are going to toss the strut out, reach in between the spring and grab the strut shaft with channel locks or vice grips. Try using some PB Blaster on the threads overnight first. MAke sure you don't grab the strut shaft with pliers on the new one because it will scar the shaft seal and loss it's charge before you get two miles.

doesn't IPD make a tool that holds the thingy with the stuff... and it makes it chill and stuff :)

they have a tool that grabs the nut.. and has a hole in the middle that is for a allen wrench to hold the bolt portion of the strut piece.

Kevin
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1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70