removing strut cartridge, problem fix

[David K]

About 7 months ago, i had to change my struts in the 280zx. I had one hell of a time pulling them out. Seems the fluid that leaked out of the cartridge, filled the bottom of the strut housing, and was causing a suction as i pulled. My buddy and i even tied one end to a suburban, and one end to a tree. The rope broke before the cartridge even budged. So this is what i did on re-installation.

 

I took a 5/16 drill bit, and drilled the bottom of the strut housing. If fluid ever leaks out of the cartridge, it will drain out of the housing and make removal a sinch. I removed my struts today, and they slid out no problem. Allowing the fluid to drain out of the bottom will also make it easier to diagnose a faulty strut by letting the fluid drip out on the ground.

 

If you are having problems removing the strut cartridge before this mod, you can also drill a little in the strut hosuing if you dont plan on keeping the cartridge.

 

Cheers.

[CruxGNZ]

David,

The fluid in the cartridge is usually oil based. If it leaked out it would prevent rust. If possible, you should fill the strut with oil to aid in heat transfer. Even Tokico mentions to do this when you buy thier cartridges. By putting a hole in the bottom, you are allowing the elements to get to the strut, causing unwanted rust. You may have been lucky using your drain idea, but others in more "water and salt prone" areas may not be.

 

Anybody want to add to this drain idea?

 

!M!

 

Edit: I just noticed you mentioned a suction, nut rust issue, whoops. But, with the drain idea, my above statement still stands.

[David K]

Ack! I forgot to mention the little 5/16 rubber plug with silicone i jammed in the hole. When i think the strut is bad, i get a screwdriver, pop off the plug, and see if it drips out onto a peice of cardboard in my driveway. If nothing comes out, i just silicone it back up, and put it back in. On removal of the strut cartridge, i just pull the plug out to prevent suction.

[JMortensen]

I've got no idea why you had the suction problem, but I don't think it was actually a suction problem. Having pulled many of these struts out of the tubes, I can tell you that the suction involved is not that severe. Possibly the strut corroded and was stuck to the side of the tube, bent strut housing, I don't know.

 

As Mat said, the oil in the strut tube is there to transfer heat from the strut to the strut housing. If you have no oil your struts are going to get very hot and not be able to dissipate that heat. You should put some oil in there. I always use ATF, but I don't think it really matters what type of oil. I usually put enough in so that the oil level sits about 3" from the top of the tube.

 

From personal experience I can tell you that I swapped a blown Tokico Illumina about a year ago and the paint on the strut itself (or is that powdercoating) was bubbled up quite a bit from the heat. There was a section of the chrome shaft which was heat checked and blue in color, like case hardening. They get HOT! :flamedevil:

 

With the heat thing in mind, I've got to wonder if you would be able to seal the bottom of the strut housing with silicone and have it hold. I think you may have to weld the hole back up or thread it for a plug.

 

Jon Mortensen

[Guest Anonymous]

I too have had a very similar problem with getting the struts out of the tubes. and also the nuts off the top of the tubes. we hooked up a slide hammer to the top of the strut rod and tried that with no luck. Are there any other ideas besides drilling?

thanks