1977 2.7 Front Strut Insert Issues

[Jason Wright]

Hi 2.7 owners.

This is my first post on here and I have a feeling it won't' be my last.

So, I started to change the front strut inserts on the Porker this afternoon after work. To say I was well prepared was an understatement. I had the brilliant 101 Projects book, The Haynes manual (only for torque settings), all the tools required in place, two trolley jacks and two axle stands. I have read, re read, and read some more about what is required and I think I could recite the 101 book word for word.

So, guess what brought everything to a grinding halt.......the bloody insert just would not pull out! Yes I removed the roll pin and up to this point all was peachy. I could press and rotate the insert inside the strut but it would not come free. It would move up to a point and then stop and no amount of pulling or colorful language would free it.

Have any of you guys experienced anything similar and if so I would be very grateful to hear about your chosen method of removal. I would rather not remove the strut completely as I have just had my alignment set up nicely.

Any feedback would be great.
Cheers,
Jason.

 

[usermjg]

I know this is a strange request, but got any photography's, as this might help some times its easy to miss the obvious !

I know I have on more than once.

 

[Jason Wright]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your reply. No photo's I'm afraid but I have now rectified said 'stubborn' sticky insert. Basically the rubber boots at the bottom of the inserts have completely perished over the years and look like they have been through a blender. I managed to free these by putting an aluminium tube over the top of the insert so that it rests on top of the strut housing. Then I put the top mount washer and nut back onto the insert and tightened it. This then freed the insert by raising it up.
I had to do this on both sides and it took a lot of cleaning to get rid off the old pieces of rubber, grease etc. A good tip is to use an industrial Hoover, something like a 'Henry', to suck out all of this. It worked great.

Just replaced the rear dampers today and although straight forward was quite time consuming due to lack of room where the top mounts are located. Happy to report no incidents and the car drove brilliantly afterwards.

Cheers,
Jason.

 

[usermjg]

I'm glad to hear you have completed the task. Its part of the charm of ownership that jobs never go quite as planned, well that or old age either on behalf of the car or in some cases me