I'm vexed as to what to do here.



This is what I removed from the car.





But this is what Tirerack sent me. It looks the same on the racing beat website as well under KYB replacement for the front of my rx7.

 

It's an insert like all first gen struts. The big nut on the strut tube comes off. When you put the new insert in, pore some motor oil in the tube to help with cooling.

Use some penetrating oil on the nut before removing it. If you still have problems taking it off, use some heat from a torch.

This will help.
http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/manuals/19...suspension.pdf

 

Annoyingly it appears I need a special tool from Mazda to get that nut off to put the new cartridge in.

 

The tool number is 49-0259-700A. My local Mazda dealer is hopeless and has no idea what I'm talking about. And idea where I can get this tool?

 

I held the nut in a vice then spun the housing when I did mine. Worked great to pop it loose.

 

The nut broke off. Any ideas?






I tried using a screwdriver and a hammer in those grooves to bust it loose to no avail.

 

Possibly someone else with a screwdriver and hammer in the other groove at the same time.
Or,
Heat the tube with a torch as KansasCityREPU said, and try the above.
Or,
Drill out the spot welds on the broken off part and weld it back on and then put some heat to the tube before torquing on it.

 

Large pipe wrench and vise

 

Use some heat. I did the same thing on two strut tubes. I tried a chisel and it didn't work either. Rust has it frozen. Heat will expand it and brake it lose hopefully.

 

All I've got is a propane torch. will that work?

 

That will work

 

Man that sucks. Let us know if you get it!

 

I got a large vice grips on the threaded part and along with a large pipe over the handle for extra leverage I finally managed to bust it loose. Fortunately KYB furnished new nuts to use.