Are my struts fubar'd

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:06 pm

So decided to overhaul my front suspension today seeing as I have all the bits. Took the struts off and I can't tell if the collars are just massively rusted ot been welded. Do I need new ones?

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:08 pm

That doesn't look healthy. Hard to tell from the picture but it looks like a line of weld around the top of the collar.

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:15 pm

If you get the damper out and have a strut left, you are my hero.

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:26 pm

good luck with that

i'd take it to a garage if i were you and see if they can get it off ,lots of heat and some grips might just do it

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 1:50 pm

Cheers guys least I know what I'm dealing with. Might have to fly it up to my mates workshop and get the acetylene on it.

Magpie if I can sort it. How much for some 51mm struts posted?

Post Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:07 pm

i've got a pair here with hubs [just struts] need a wire brush and paint up .

pm on way

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:42 am

if you do get it out make sure the threads are still strong as xworks bought a set of 51mm struts off me cause the ones he was using for another project the threads had worn through and were knackered (m3 ones)

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:12 am

For the love of god DON'T HIT THAT WITH AN OXY TORCH.
The dampers are sealed and a lot of them are pressurized, couple that with a lot of heat and flammable oil inside and you can figure out the possibilities.

Looks like a case of the top of the collar coming off the threaded bit.

Leave them to soak in penetrating oil and then get a chisel on them.

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:47 am

HairyScreech wrote:For the love of god DON'T HIT THAT WITH AN OXY TORCH.

Just scrolled to the bottom of this thread to warn about this ASAP, but thankfully HairyScreech has already beaten me to it!

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:50 am

panic mongers lol,i've actually done this before by heating just the collar nuts on a pair of strut legs and they came off.I suppose you would have some fun if you heated up just the insert until it glows

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:11 am

I've got a massive set of water pump pliers ( like a cross between water pump pliers and stilsons about 1.5foot long ) i use for strut collars, and they've never failed yet even on real rusty ones though i must admit yours look almost "Marine" LOL.

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:30 am

They're properley rusted on, they've become one with the strut, and that's how they'll stay, I'm paying for some more this afternoon

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:02 pm

If you dont get the shocks out their ready for some coilovers

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:18 pm

Jozi wrote:If you dont get the shocks out their ready for some coilovers

good thinking

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:50 pm

magpie wrote:
Jozi wrote:If you dont get the shocks out their ready for some coilovers
good thinking

Nope got brand new H&R inserts ready to drop in, just need to get it sorted

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:08 pm

Where is the collar gone? That is well and truly bodged I must say. A whole new leg is needed.

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:11 pm

Ianb wrote:I've got a massive set of water pump pliers ( like a cross between water pump pliers and stilsons about 1.5foot long ) i use for strut collars, and they've never failed yet even on real rusty ones though i must admit yours look almost "Marine" LOL.

I prefer "titanic spec"

Post Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:58 pm

Going to drill tbe insert to release the gas then heat it up with oxy torch and try a huge set of grips on them see what happens

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:16 pm

Got them off! Plumbers blow lamp with map gas, and some big grips. Can crack on and get it finished now

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:25 pm

I didn't think you would have, but well done.

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:53 pm

well done

good to see you never blew yourself up and burnt the garage down

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:25 pm

Was lucky really. As it heated up, the seals must have been pretty worn as the gas just seaped out. Can't wait to get it finished now

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:27 pm

They would have done that with a brand new set of shocks too. Heat kills the rubber faster than it heats the metal up.

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:39 pm

Yeah I know. Just mean it didn't go with a bang, so being worn they didn't hold the pressure so well anyway

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:04 pm

Got any pics mate?

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:13 pm

ross_jsy wrote:They would have done that with a brand new set of shocks too. Heat kills the rubber faster than it heats the metal up.

You think so? Try throwing the tiny strut from an old E30 seat onto a bonfire.

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 10:55 pm

Very different to some localized heat at the top of the strut.

Smacks of the every e30 is burned to the ground thread

Post Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:04 pm

Of what pal? Wasn't really much to see just a fat bloke with some grips and a blow torch

Post Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:03 am

Heating the top gives more danger of melting the seal and ending up with a jet of hot oil coming out via a lit oxy torch flame than a full on explosion.
Regardless it's still not a good plan, I would expect to get fired on the spot if I pulled a stunt like that.

Post Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:02 pm

Well it worked, no explosions, no jets of hot oil given that they're gas not oil dampers and no injuries other than grazed knuckles from the grips slipping. Struts are now fully rebuilt and fitted to the car

Post Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:26 pm

I was lucky too then . I welded a bar onto mine :/ then smacked the fooker round .