Author Topic: How do you Remove Strut Cartgidge? (Read 7223 times)

mdl76 · « **on:** October 15, 2007, 02:59:30 PM »

Looking down into the strut housing I see the cartridge inside looks to have 4 holes in the top that some special tool is supposed fit into to unscrew it. Any idea of where one may buy this tool? better yet, is there a jerryrig way of doing it?

Then I need to find where to buy the tool to install my new bilstiens.
All these "special tools" Sux! :mad: sorry, just venting.

Thanks all!

DZick · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2007, 03:31:33 PM »

What i did was...

1. Take PB Blaster and soak it
2. Grab the Channel Locks (Actually the craftsman robogrip may work better) and twist it off at the edges.
3. The second one i could not get off for the life of me even with the Torch (NOt reccomending) so i took it to dobbs... (they used a SnapOn tool that looked like the robogrip just longer for more force.)

Then i just went home and twisted the rest off with a regular channel locks.

Get ready for a horrible smell when you take out the inserts (atleast mind smelled rancid)

Hopefully this helps

mdl76 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2007, 04:52:29 PM »

you can see the tool in the pic... Bilstien should have included on in the box, they can stamp them out in china for 5 cents a piece.

Thanks you bilstien for making my weekend project a week project. Sorry .. just ranting again.

christophbmw · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2007, 07:26:51 PM »

at the dealer we used to just user channel locks (faster than messing with the stupid tool).

Quote from: DZick;35771

Get ready for a horrible smell when you take out the inserts (atleast mind smelled rancid)

old gear old will do that....

mdl76 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2007, 07:26:59 PM »

GOT THEM OUT!!!! i did not realize that was a plastic piece over the top of the housing.

God Bless the pipe wrench!

D. Clay · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2007, 07:40:42 PM »

^
Man triumphs using opposable thumb.
My feelings exactly. Archimedes only needed a lever to move the world, A vise, pipe wrench, hammer and chisel will do in a pinch.

mdl76 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2007, 08:02:32 PM »

does anyone know what that silly round white plastic piece that came in the box is for?

Belstein says nothing about it in the directions... They also say refer to diagram but there is no diagram in the instructions...

rsafier · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2007, 10:10:12 PM »

I never had the tool in the box. I have always had luck with PB-Blaster, about 1 minute of heat and then take a chisle and 4# sledge and hit it off. generally a couple good wacks and then it will turn by hand.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2007, 09:37:59 AM »

Quote from: mdl76;35786

photo of the year, do you hear me people?!

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2007, 06:46:42 PM »

He's ready for UFC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Use some wrenches ,,,,,,,, there's no need to just rip out those struts :eek:

Bunta · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2007, 07:59:10 PM »

Quote from: mdl76;35798

does anyone know what that silly round white plastic piece that came in the box is for?

Belstein says nothing about it in the directions... They also say refer to diagram but there is no diagram in the instructions...

It holds the boot on. Its a tight fit so lube it up.

Hunter

asubimmer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2007, 08:00:39 PM »

yup its for the boot

mdl76 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2007, 12:20:08 AM »

Quote from: Bunta;35881

It holds the boot on. Its a tight fit so lube it up.
Hunter

I figured it out after I looked at it for a second.

mdl76 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2007, 12:20:56 AM »

Quote from: Febi Guibo;35820

photo of the year, do you hear me people?!

I was so happy I got them out I told my girl to take a pic...

Colo318IS · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2008, 01:43:16 PM »

more insight for a future reader with the same issue...

I was replacing my front struts as well with new inserts. Mine had, oh about 17 years worth of rust caked on (evidently they had never been changed before I got it)...so I was unable to get that collar off with vise grips and PB blaster. What I did was take mine to a shop I trusted...they heated them up and they came right out. While I wouldn't personally heat them up myself, I did trust them to do this. (just note this option if a shop says you're gonna need a whole new strut housing) Heating it up didn't do any damage to the internal threads...a 12 pack later I was out the door!