Order of operations: front suspension Options

[rjames]

Double post

[rjames]

More progress, slow, but progress none the less:
Got the struts removed after much violence with a hammer.

First came trying to separate the tie rod from where it attaches to the strut assembly. A few billion blows with a hammer didn't seem to be doing much. I ended up having to MacGyver a too small bearing puller held tight with a plumbers wrench to get them removed on each side.

The hammer redeemed itself when trying to remove the ball joints from the struts. Lots of pounding and a torch to heat things up eventually allowed me to beat the bejesus out of them into submission and get them out.

Now I've got this to deal with. All the vids show a fastener that one could use a chisel on to loosen up. Of course that isn't what I have. Stuck the strut in a vice and tried to use an adjustable wrench on it, but it would budge. Is heat applicable here, too? Should I Dremel a chunk out of it and then use a chisel and my new best friend Mr. Hammer to try and get it loose?

[DennisV]

Now I've got this to deal with. All the vids show a fastener that one could use a chisel on to loosen up. Of course that isn't what I have. Stuck the strut in a vice and tried to use an adjustable wrench on it, but it would budge. Is heat applicable here, too? Should I Dremel a chunk out of it and then use a chisel and my new best friend Mr. Hammer to try and get it loose?

I've had some surprisingly good luck getting stuff like this to move with a BIG pipe wrench. Though it will probably chew on the surface where it grabs. Another effective, but possibly destructive, option is an impact hammer with chisel attachment.

Looking forward to seeing your reassembly order of operations. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)