[s-cars] Help - can't remove shock absorber

[Paul Heneghan]

Found out what caused my clunking/tramlining/tyre wear today. Previous owner
must have had a shock absorber or top mounting replaced, and the top nut
hadn't been done up properly. The result was that the top of the shock was
free to move a little, and the percussive effect of this movement over a
couple of years wore a VERY elliptical slot in the metal insert in the top
mounting allowing about 6mm of play. So my camber was all over the place.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UC9ZMNKuFJuK10sdhNkfenClCojHzdQuERIt5p
5pj5M?feat=directlink

The top of the shock absorber was also a little damaged by this wear, so I
tried to remove it and couldn't. I have the 2069A tool, so getting the cap
off was no problem. I then expected to just lift the shock absorber out of
the tube, but it was stuck fast. I levered it (compressing the spring by a
couple of inches in the process), but got worried that if it did come loose,
it might shoot out and dent the bonnet, so gave up and reinstalled it with a
new top mounting.

On the test drive, the car was transformed, but I would still like to
replace the shock. It's supposed to be gas-filled, which means that it
should normally be fully extended, but either the wrong one was fitted or
all the gas has come out as the shaft keeps withdrawing into the shock.

Any BTDTs on persuading a shy shock absorber to emerge?

Paul

--
Paul Heneghan

Address:
Appledore, Leys Road
Harvington
Evesham
Worcs
WR11 8LZ

Phone:
01386 871565 (h)
01386 420120 (w)
07740 476754 (m)

Email:
paul at heneghan.co.uk (h)
paul.heneghan at bbc.co.uk (w)