I'm trying to remove the struts cartridges to replace them. On top of the suspension tube where the strut rod sticks out is a hex looking nut, big. You can see what I mean in the pic below. The new struts came with what looks like replacements for these. I'm not quite sure how to remove these things but, I took this down to midas and asked them if they could do it, the guy said, "I'll have to cut it off"

I got a little startled by "cut it off" I generaly don't like to cut stuff if I don't have to.

Does this sound right? Cut it off?

your advice is appreciated, and I found it hard to belive that my searches brought up little to no info on this subject

 

it should just unscrew ... looks like someone tightened that one up with a hammer and chisel tho' ... might take some serious grunt to get it undone.

As for how to undo it ... the only thing i can suggest other than using the proper strut removing spanner is to grip the nut in a vice an undo it that way ... looks like its too bent to undo with the tool anyway

 

Yeah I think some one tried before without much luck...

I figured there was a tool.... I'll check the auto store to see if they'll let me borrow one, if they have one

 

yup, they unscrew...

and then you will reuse the cap when you reinstall teh new ones (err.. you just said they gave you a new one didn't you..)

be careful though.. My cap seemed to work itself loose and need some retightening a couple of times after I replaced my suspension.. Anyone else had that issue?

 

A pipe wrench should work,...as long as it's held in a vice.

 

When I did mine I put the cap bolt (the end piece your refering to thats all dicked up) into the vice and used a piece of pipe in between the rotor to turn it (the whole strut). You should replace that one when your done too.

 

I used two fair sized pipe wrenches, one on the shock body and the other on the nut, the nut will stay with the upper half, it may bend out of place a little but shuldnt matter because your new replacements should have the nuts on them.

sometimes it helps to compress the shocks a little to relieve some of the pressure on the nut.

 

thanks for the help!

I'm gonna try putting it in the vice and turning the whole deal to break it.

As for compressing the shock... the shock in there now has no pressure at all! It slides super easy!