Stuck strut

[wmcraft]

Ok, I got the pass. side rear strut out with no problem. Driver side rear - not so much. It would appear that even though I've removed the 17mm bolt, the steel sleeve of the strut has welded itself to the lower mount. I've pried it, hammered it, sledged it with a 2x4 block, sprayed and sprayed with WD-40, and still no movement. I was thinking that heating it up might work until I noticed the "Do not heat" warning on the side of the strut body. Probably not a good idea with a gas-filled strut...

Any ideas?

[Admin1]

Ok, I got the pass. side rear strut out with no problem. Driver side rear - not so much. It would appear that even though I've removed the 17mm bolt, the steel sleeve of the strut has welded itself to the lower mount. I've pried it, hammered it, sledged it with a 2x4 block, sprayed and sprayed with WD-40, and still no movement. I was thinking that heating it up might work until I noticed the "Do not heat" warning on the side of the strut body. Probably not a good idea with a gas-filled strut...

Any ideas?


If you have a air hammer would really help! I would have to say heat is the best idea but I can't lie to you I have used heat on it before! Lol

[wmcraft]

I didn't have an air hammer, so I picked up one from my local Harbor Freight store for $15. It did the trick. Once I got both assemblies off, the top nuts on both were rusted real bad. Tried using an impact wrench, heat, vice grips... nothing worked. I ended up cutting most of the nut off with the reciprocating saw and then the 4" grinder finished the job.

Thanks for the tip on the air hammer.