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

[Peter Schulz]

Brian:
John needs to loosen AND tighten.....

-Peter
At 09:29 AM 5/16/2006, Brian Armstead wrote:
>You may also try one of the special removal tools available at Sears.
>They have agressive treads that should bite into the hole.
>
>Brian
>
>Peter Schulz wrote:
> >
> > 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)
> > 1990 CQ red ( to part or not)
> >
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