This is a first. I was trying to replace a bad strut bearing and I can't get the mount to release from the strut. The nut has been removed. The only thing holding the mount to the strut must be corrosion. I'm stumped. I've tried heat, PB blaster, releasing the tension on the springs, steering wheel puller, 3 lb hammer... I also tried remounting it and pushing down, but that didn't work either. Anybody else run into this problem?

I'm thinking of taking it to someone with a hydraulic press, release the springs, and compress the strut until the springs push it off. The only other thing I can think of is burning away the bushing and then cutting away whatever's left, but there has to be a more elegant solution. Any (other/better) ideas?

Stock ROW M030 suspension and mounts if that matters.



Stuck

 

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...nd_Springs.htm

 

That's pretty much the process I used to remove the strut. Problem is that now the nut has been removed, there's no tension on the mount at all, and still I can't pull the mount off of the strut. Trying a good PB blaster soaking over night to see if that does the trick.

 

Air impact with hammer bit does wonders!!! Machine shop can do it if you don't have tool / enough air.

 

But where to apply the force? The nut is off. I think the only thing holding the mount on the strut is corrosion.

 

I would just get a little more forceful with it. Hold it between your legs and give it a good yanking. And yes, a bit of double entendre there.

You can also use some spring compressors to relieve the tension from the backside and see if that allows you to work it around more at angles.

 

it looks like you have some metal built up against the threads, I would use a 3 or 4 ft. pry bar and try unscrewing it, but protect the threads on the mount.

 

If you don't want to destroy either the strut or the top mount, be patient. Let the penetrant (PB's or whatever) do it's job. Some heat may help get the stuff in there. Also, shock help to get the liquid to penetrate - and I'd try a good strong 3 jaw puller... Good Luck

 

Take a piece of 1/4" steel and drill holes so the 3 small screws and the center screw fit through. Attach the 3 smaller nuts so the steel piece is retain. Chock the steel in a vice. Put a sacrificial nut on the shock thread so the nut sticks up proud of the thread. Smack it good.

 

Thanks for the many suggestions. I ended up drilling out the rubber bushing in the mount (which I had planned to replace anyway) so I could get the spring off. I cut down the piece that was still stuck so I could get a wrench on it. I was able to spin it but not unscrew it until I got a ball-joint fork behind it. What a pain. But it's off and the threads aren't damaged.

 

^^ Nice clean up job^^ !!