Finished strut refurbishment

[Oleg Rekutin]

I'm just going through the same procedure now on an 88 80Q. My strut
caps were seized on like crazy and I had to take the struts to a local
garage to do some hardcore torching and pipe-wrenching. They said they
had to get them cherry red before they came off.

I also couldn't get the tie rod ends off, despite some MAPP torching. It
would spin together with the inner tie rod connector, so the TREs that I
purchased separately were useless. I ended up replacing the entire tie
rod assembly, which was a time-consuming job to do due to difficult
access, but fairly straightforward otherwise.

Hurray on that HF electric impact wrench. Best $60 I've ever spent. I
used it to loosen the bolts going thru the steering carrier plate and
the rack and pinion, the 19mms on the bottom of the strut, the 17mm lug
bolts, etc.

I rent my spring compressor from the local Autozone (end cost: free).
The full-size Pitman arm removal tool from Autozone is perfect for
popping off tie rod ends. The Autozone "tie rod removal" tool is too
small.

You can see some pictures of the carnage in my Flickr set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uksi/5095261937/in/set-72157625049668832/

I also opted for KYB GR-2 and 034 Street Density mounts, though I
haven't put it all back together to take it for a road test.

- Oleg

On Sun, 17 Oct 2010 22:35 -1000, "Al" <bournej at hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
> 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
> 
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