Strut mount rusted/seized to housing

[jblinga]

Drivers side came out fine. Got everything loose on the passenger side and the strut top hat mount won't free from the housing. I was able to remove the old strut/spring using the no spring compressor method, but I don't see anyway I'm getting OME 885's and Bilstein 5100 set on the second height setting back in. Unless I'm missing something?

I have the lower ball joint unbolted and the eccentric bolts loosened. LCA moves down but not far enough to get the 2" longer spring and strut in.

Trying to get the mount free, I've used PB blaster pry bars and a torch to no avail.

Should I remove the LCA completely and compress the strut/spring with a floor jack? Seems it might be a little sketchy.

Any and all help is appreciated

TIA

 

[radlynx]

Drivers side came out fine. Got everything loose on the passenger side and the strut top hat mount won't free from the housing. I was able to remove the old strut/spring using the no spring compressor method, but I don't see anyway I'm getting OME 885's and Bilstein 5100 set on the second height setting back in. Unless I'm missing something?

I have the lower ball joint unbolted and the eccentric bolts loosened. LCA moves down but not far enough to get the 2" longer spring and strut in.

Trying to get the mount free, I've used PB blaster pry bars and a torch to no avail.

Should I remove the LCA completely and compress the strut/spring with a floor jack? Seems it might be a little sketchy.

Any and all help is appreciated

TIA

It will come out. Make sure the strut is hanging so the weight is used to pull it down while you are trying a chisel in between the top hat and the strut. Attaching a heavier object to the bottom of the strut or the spring will help significantly. Make sure the 3 bolts are loosened too and leave only 1 bolt slightly screwed to avoid it from dropping completely if it separates.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[dgmorr]

Air chisel if you have it.

 

[jblinga]

Update:

1 day soaking in more PB Blaster, tastefully chosen words, more torch, more pry bar action and it popped loose.

Pics with ome's and Bilstein 5100's coming after I finish the rear.

 

[camp332]

Air chisel if you have it.

Being from the Northeast, and having recently replaced all my rusty suspension components, I will second the "Air Chisel Method" :uzi::uzi:

 

[Door Ding]

I had the same battle with my 05 from Maine. Didn't have an air chisel. It sucked.

 

[DT04R]

Yeah, I had the local dealer install my 5100s a couple of weeks ago, the guy on it had done work in the past for me, really good, decades of experience - it took him like 2 extra hours (that they didn't even bill for) to pull the old parts out due to rust/being seized.

 

[derekjmiller913]

I am defeated on this too.

Yeah, I had the local dealer install my 5100s a couple of weeks ago, the guy on it had done work in the past for me, really good, decades of experience - it took him like 2 extra hours (that they didn't even bill for) to pull the old parts out due to rust/being seized.

I tried last night with friends to do the no-compressor method to remove the front suspension. We hit a dead stop due to rust (my '04 came from MA)... so, needless to day with my limited experience I now have an appt on tuesday to get the components installed.

 

[NJTrail]

Remove the strut and the spring (I used a compressor, others use the no compressor method). the rusted top hat stays locked in place. Use an air chisel from below wedging it between the top hat flange and the frame bracket near the base of the studs. It will pop off like butter (assuming your 3 nuts on top are loosened).