I bought new inserts for the front and new shocks for the rear. I went to change the front insert and there is a clip or screw that is on the top of the case that keeps the strut insert from coming out. Do I just pop this thing off or do I need to screw it out?



The picture is kind or grainy but I didn't have a scanner and so I took a snapshot with my webcam. Its the part I have the arrow pointing to. I don't know how I'm suppose to get that out so I figured I'd ask here before I break something.

 

You scew it out with a big *** pipe wrench. It's pretty tight if it's never been changed before.

 

Cool thanks, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't about to break something.

 

As previous poster said, it's left-hand-loosen threaded (like a regular screw), and will need to be unscrewed to be removed. Once it's out, take note of the spacer(s) that are in there, as these provide tension on the strut cartridge so that it doesn't bang around in the housing. You need to be able to tension the strut cartridge with the proper torque (90ft/lbs???) so that it stays tight, as well, and the housing is filled with engine oil to help dissipate the heat of the cartridge working.

One trick on reinstalling the new cartridge is to install the cartridge first, then add the oil, then the spacer, then the retaining nut, and then torque it. HTH,

 

I was wondering what all the extra parts were for

 

I'm replacing my front struts and I have loosened the big retaining peice but my stock struts are still very firm inside the cartridge.

Can someone suggest the best way to remove it please

 

Uhhh.... maybe its just my Mozilla Firefox acting up... but I swear to God that Junia's picture illustrating what part hes trying to remove looks an awful lot like an Audi prototype car at an auto show.

 

don't be alarmed, it's not just your browser

 

Rad! I was starting to worry a bit.

 

Is that the Audi that is going to be in the movie I, Robot?

 

yeah I took the original scan out because I didn't need it anymore.. Its been over two months so I didn't think anyone would notice