[s-cars] Stripped hex head on Koni Strut! Any help?

[Peter Schulz]

John:

You could try a torx head socket and have the flutes dig into what 
remains of the flats on the inside of the strut shaft.
you will probably have to tap it in with a hammer....

Caveat, this may /may not work, and I would be concerned about 
further damaging the strut shaft.

That said,  a machine shop _might_ be able to do something, but 
reality is that purchasing a used or new strut will be less expensive 
than the shop time....


-Peter


At 09:06 AM 5/16/2006, jpb3 wrote:
>All,
>Unfortunately the hex portion on top of the Koni strut has been pretty much
>stripped away and I need to hold it so I can R&R the 2B spherical bearing.
>I was using a 6mm Craftsman hex socket, the same used to install the
>suspension system initially but it seems as though the metal used in the
>strut is pretty soft.  I started rounding it out when I tried to tighten it
>up to see if it cured the noise, it turns out that 2B just sent me a new
>bearing assembly b/c that did not work.  I stopped tightening it as soon as
>it started slipping but when I went to loosen it it was already too late and
>the hard metal of the socket just chewed through the strut.
>
>I do not want to purchase a new strut(or 2) so does anyone have a suggestion
>on how I can hold this thing in both directions? ( ie...loosening and
>tightening) I have visited Sears tool dept and most extractors only "bite"
>to remove such a problem and do not grip for the tightening portion.  I have
>considered welding a nut on top of the strut but forsee problems with that
>solution as I only have a stick welder and it's not too precise!  Gripping
>the shaft of the strut seems improbable as it would lead to a scored strut
>and seal failure I would think.  Any suggestions out there?  TIA
>
>John B
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-Peter Schulz
Chelmsford Ma, USA
http://www.naaclub.org/

1991 200 20v Q Avant Titan Grey
1991 200 20v Q Avant Indigo Mica
1991 90 20v Q Red

1990 CQ silver (awaiting S2 engine transplant)
1991 CQ silver  (potentially replacing the 1990 for  the transplant)
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