Important! : Strut disassembley problems (coilovers)

  1. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Newcastle/ Billingham Posts: 1873 02 Gold Cleaned OEM+ VTR
    #1
    Just bought a set of coilovers recently built up, one side came apart easily. However the other side is proving more difficult.
    When I slacken the centre nut in the middle of the top mount (on top of the damper). The damper just rotates with the nut, and the top mount spins. The hole in the middle for a allen key or torx bit or watever it takes is rounded off so cant hold it like that any suggestions?
    The side that came off easily has had the top thread machined down so there isnt a hole for a allen key etc. Is this an issue when re-assembling?

    cheers
  2. West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S
    #2
    Air gun will whip it off easily enough and of course if you dont have the allen/torx key insert in tact then the air gun will be more than sufficient to tighten them again
  3. Established Member Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 1016
    #3
    Air gun will handle it no problem, take it to a garage if you have not got your own compressor and whip it off, will only take 2 seconds. At the most, they might charge drinks money!
  4. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Newcastle/ Billingham Posts: 1873 02 Gold Cleaned OEM+ VTR
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by willsy View Post
    Air gun will whip it off easily enough and of course if you dont have the allen/torx key insert in tact then the air gun will be more than sufficient to tighten them again
    Ok hopefully a garage wont charge alot to whip a nut off for me, cheers
  5. Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Surrey Posts: 192 TVR cerbera, Saxo VTR
    #5
    A local garage did mine for nothing when I didn't have a compressor. Although I did have to drive home with them loose afterwards!!

    Dan
  6. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Ruthin North Wales Posts: 308 Saxo VTR, 205 CTI S16
    #6
    attach a mould grip to the damper strut (bit thats turning) lay the strut on the floor sideways with the grip resting on the floor, undo the nut with spanner/ socket.
  7. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Newcastle/ Billingham Posts: 1873 02 Gold Cleaned OEM+ VTR
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Nick_j_r View Post
    attach a mould grip to the damper strut (bit thats turning) lay the strut on the floor sideways with the grip resting on the floor, undo the nut with spanner/ socket.
    tried fixing a mole grip to the part of the top mount thats spinning but just pulled off eventually. Dont fancy fixing it to the shock absorber with it been a blistien B8! I'll just take it ot a garage down the road cheers
  8. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Ruthin North Wales Posts: 308 Saxo VTR, 205 CTI S16
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by blackvtrt View Post
    tried fixing a mole grip to the part of the top mount thats spinning but just pulled off eventually. Dont fancy fixing it to the shock absorber with it been a blistien B8! I'll just take it ot a garage down the road cheers
    i used some cloth to protect mine when i attached it to the shock, but wouldnt risk it with B8's lol
  9. Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Newcastle/ Billingham Posts: 1873 02 Gold Cleaned OEM+ VTR
    #9
    This is what i found on the gaz website:
    "Under no circumstances should any tool be used to grip the piston rod. This will inevitably produce damage to the smooth surface of the piston rod and torn chamber seals, resulting in fluid loss and an unserviceable unit."

    Think ill deffintley not risk putting mole grips on them