Go back to home

Loosen seized strut tops

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
Wiggy333
Deity
  • Total Posts : 1012
  • Scores: 42
  • Reward points: 3744
  • Joined: 2014/12/01 13:28:20
  • Location: Sydney
  • Status: offline
2016/03/13 18:03:55 (permalink)
0

Loosen seized strut tops

Hi can anyone tell me how to loosen a seized strut top. I have a few but after undoing the shock nut(not completely and with spring clamps loosened) the top will not budge. I tried to oxy cut one off but it ruined the shock mount. There seems to be to much rubber around it to get any heat in there without damaging the rubbers. Tried soaking with WD40 and hitting the top with mallet didn't budge it either. These struts haven't been used in a while but there not rusted. Still soaking in Wd40 as I write.
#1


7 Replies Related Threads
    rallyrs
    Aficionado
    • Total Posts : 168
    • Scores: 8
    • Reward points: 4973
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: Newcastle NSW Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/13 19:44:39 (permalink)
    0
    You can by a product to freeze stubborn bolts, I usually borrow it off me mates truck and has worked every time. Bit like an oxy but in reverse. Google freeze bolt.

    mk2 2dr club car. pinto, stage 1 valves, rl31 cam, gsxr 600 tb running  MS2 extra. :-)))
    #2
    Wiggy333
    Deity
    • Total Posts : 1012
    • Scores: 42
    • Reward points: 3744
    • Joined: 2014/12/01 13:28:20
    • Location: Sydney
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/13 19:57:18 (permalink)
    0
    I've used it many a time and it might be the only way apart from whacking the part in the misses chest freezer. Might need to convince her it needs a defrost. But seriously if you can't use heat then freezing is the only other way. It's not like you can press it out as its held by rubber. Thanks for the thought I really like it.
    #3

    wombat2509
    Enthusiast
    • Total Posts : 215
    • Scores: 3
    • Reward points: 5873
    • Joined: 2011/08/01 11:02:49
    • Location: CASINO N.S.W. Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/13 20:53:00 (permalink)
    0
    Is this the stuff only around $15 a can

    http://www.loctite.com.au...m?nodeid=8802649931777




     

    #4
    Wiggy333
    Deity
    • Total Posts : 1012
    • Scores: 42
    • Reward points: 3744
    • Joined: 2014/12/01 13:28:20
    • Location: Sydney
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/14 06:50:21 (permalink)
    0
    Yeah that's the stuff and it's loosened studs that were rusted in and I'd tried loosening for days with wd40 stiltsens and long bars. Used it and free in minutes. It also lubricates as well as freezes so it works well. Keith
    #5
    troppo
    Aficionado
    • Total Posts : 376
    • Scores: 8
    • Reward points: 3498
    • Joined: 2014/01/05 13:45:37
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/16 15:47:01 (permalink)
    0
    Wiggy333
    I've used it many a time and it might be the only way apart from whacking the part in the misses chest freezer. Might need to convince her it needs a defrost. But seriously if you can't use heat then freezing is the only other way. It's not like you can press it out as its held by rubber. Thanks for the thought I really like it.

    Spot on wiggy, and once you have left it in there for a couple of days pull it out and pour boiling water over it, the thermal shock usually helps to free the parts
     
    #6

    Wiggy333
    Deity
    • Total Posts : 1012
    • Scores: 42
    • Reward points: 3744
    • Joined: 2014/12/01 13:28:20
    • Location: Sydney
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2016/03/24 16:39:45 (permalink)
    0
    Well after a full can of the freeze and release unfortunately it did nothing. I used the whole can and over around 5 minutes so as not to waste it or let it warm up. So I will try and whack it in the freezer and use another tin of the freeze and release then pour boiling water over it ( like that idea). If that doesn't work the only other thing I can think of is to make some sort of jig so I can put it in my press and remove it that way. Any other suggestions?
    #7
    Wiggy333
    Deity
    • Total Posts : 1012
    • Scores: 42
    • Reward points: 3744
    • Joined: 2014/12/01 13:28:20
    • Location: Sydney
    • Status: offline
    Re: Loosen seized strut tops 2017/05/21 16:10:33 (permalink)
    0
    I managed to free this up a month or two ago. I went to plumbing supply store and they had a tin of aerosol to freeze copper pipes so plumbers can fix them. I thought that will work. Paid $90 for a can no bigger than an bug spray. Sprayed half a can and froze it good. Then straight away poured a jug of boiling water all over it. Then with a brass dolly smacked between the coil up on the strut top which finally moved a couple of mm. Then came loose when I removed the spring compressors. This cost a bit but it's all about not letting it beat me. Strut tops are rare nowadays working or not.
    #8
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Trial Version 5.1