Front Shock Insert Removal HELP!

Newbie Joined: Nov 29, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: Coatbridge

Has anybody ever had the front shock insert stuck in the housing? I've got the housing in a vice, tried heating it, hammer, everything but the insert wont budge!

Anybody got any suggestions?

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:02 pm

had the same, took me ages ,same method as your using though I secured the insert section to a fixed point and hammered at the housing was a right pain as you're finding out yourself

Newbie Joined: Nov 29, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: Coatbridge

What was meant to be a morning job has turned into a nightmare, but hey should have known better with these cars lol!

someone suggested drilling a small hole in the bottom of the housing but wasn't to keen on that idea.

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

i had this as well with one of mine.

The top section round the piston rod is quite soft - I destroyed that which allowed me to remove the complete rod. I then collapsed the outside of the insert and was able to remove with a slide hammer. Took several hours

Newbie Joined: Nov 29, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: Coatbridge

Mike, when you were pulling the insert out after removing the rod what were you attaching onto?

Would anybody have a spare housing they'd be willing to sell?

Newbie Joined: Nov 29, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: Coatbridge

Mike, when you were pulling the insert out after removing the rod what were you attaching onto?

Would anybody have a spare housing they'd be willing to sell?

Inexperienced Joined: Jul 12, 2009 Posts: 44

when you say housing you mean the Strut ? What is your car model ? is it 2wd or 4wd........... I think that the struts are different [is it the addition of ARB] I am not sure

Newbie Joined: Nov 29, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: Coatbridge

the car is a 1989 coupe 2.2e B3 2wd, the anti-roll bar connects onto the control arm, not like the later versions that connects onto the strut.

Still no joy, was at it most of last night (gave up about 10.30) then back out this morning but its still not budged!

Inexperienced Joined: Jul 12, 2009 Posts: 44

I have two front struts for the 2wd Coupe. They are as new as I had them powder coated black, threads are good and free. Additionally I have a set BNIB Q max lowering springs red[front and rear]. and a set of standard springs that have been red powder coated. or were they also lowering springs ??................ up in the garage loft. PM if you need

Camped on the site Joined: Mar 02, 2011 Posts: 225

Make sure you put anti-freeze in the strut bodies when re-assembling. It helps to conduct heat away from the strut through the body, and prevents the sort of corrosion you've probably got between insert body and strut housing.

If there's a lot of play in the rod, then the strut insert could have bulged out and be pressing against the strut housing. I was surprised to see a big bulge in one of my inserts (which was completely knackered and empty of oil).

Hope that helps.