I have a 1990 745T and I tried in vain for five hours to change the driver's side front strut insert. I even went so far as to remove the strut, lower control arm, and strut rod as an assembly. I got the spring off, but I was held up by the nut at the top of the strut tube. I tried EVERYTHING. PBlaster. Heat. BIG pipe wrenches. Impact Hammer Chisels. That nut is rusted in place for good, and I'm sure the passenger's side is the same way. I read the FAQ about taking out the cartridge from the bottom, then sawing the nut from the inside.

Why did Volvo put the threads on the INSIDE of the strut tube?! All the German cars I've had have external threads. That way you can carefully cut the nut with a hacksaw and peel it off. The Volvo way is bass ackwards; take the strut out from the bottom and then saw the nut from the inside?! Does anyone know if you can buy just a just a new strut tube with spring perch? Is it pressed into the steering knuckle or is it welded? I'm afraid the treads inside my strut tubes will be so rusty as to be unusable. The other alternative is to buy a used piece from California where they don't use salt. I live in Northeast Ohio where you might as well drive in seawater five months a year.

Any comments appreciated.
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D '90 745T 206k, '95 GTI VR6, '73 911T 100k+