Fwd: 86 5000S Front Struts

[Sandy Duffy <sandyduffy@home.com>]

You wrote
>HELP ME !!!!!!!!!!
>
>		I wanted to replace the cartridges in my front struts
>this weekend following the Bentley Book etc. etc.  
SNIP
>The allen slot at the top of the strut is now stripped out.  Any
>suggestions, info or miracles welcome.  I would like to work on them
>this evening.  HELP ME !!!!!!!!
>

Dave:

Next time...spend the $42.50 to buy the tool #2069 from Zelenda.  However
that tool is now useless because the allen slot must (obviously) be intact
for it to work.  I have heard of getting a (size large) set of channel
locks or vise grips and reaching in through the spring  to grab the allen
nut at the top of the strut to remove it.  That nut has a torque setting of
138 ft-lbs so you will most likely have to be strong to remove it.  Once
you get it off, your new set of inserts should come with a new allen nut
for the top (mine did).  Use the tool (which you've now purchased) to get
the torque setting correct.

HTH

Sandy