Finished strut refurbishment

[Al]

I would like to thank all who gave me advice for replacing my shock cartridge on my 1990 80.

It was a big success. 

I learned to remove the tie rod end (outer) with a two armed puller. Simple. I ended up replacing both sides, as some monkey fisted mechanic stripped the threads on one of the  newer units. I couldn’t get it to come off, just spin. I finally cut the nut from top to bottom. This tie rod was new, replaced about 8 months ago. Sure glad that it didn’t come apart when I was going down the freeway. 

Huw mentioned using a impact wrench but I declined as I don’t have a compressor.
Harborfreight to the rescue, they had an electric impact wrench, less than $50. I got it and some extended mm sockets. That wrench saved my loads of time and kept my old arms from wearing out.

I bought a good spring compressor, no cutting costs here.

Both of my shocks were leaking oil and I don’t think they were gas units either. I replaced them with KYB GR2s. 
I decided to replace my springs and got a great buy from Sunset Imports out of Beaverton, OR.

I also upgraded the the strut mounts with the High Density units from 034 Motorsports, as recommended by another lister. I wish I had had them when I was traveling the mountain washboard roads in Idaho.

Next job will be the ball joints and then I am done for awhile???
Mahalo again,

Al
Honolulu