Re: Removing the strut assy. from a '87 4000 csQ

[Andrei Talalaevskii <andrei@felix.physics.sunysb.edu>]

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> From: Reed Unterseher <slashp@btigate.com>
> Subject: Removing the strut assy. from a '87 4000 csQ
> 
> Hi guys and gals,
>     I've disconnected EVERYTHING holding the housing in place, is   there
> a trick to getting it off of the ball joint? I need a n answer as soon
> as possible as it is sitting in the garage waiting.
> 
Is it a front or rear strut? In the rear the bj needs to be pried up and
in the front it should go down.

Don't remember exactly if there is a nut on BJ. If yes, remove it ( not
sure if there is any. There is certainly a nut on tie-rod end, maybe I
got that mixed up in my head). There is also a clamping bolt on the
front BJ, maybe on the rear too (again don't remember exactly and don't
have my Benteley here). Take the clamping bolt out, not just loosen a
nut!

For the rear BJ the only trick is that it might be really stuck. I had
this problem. Try  a small puller. You would need a solid one, not with
flexible moving parts. A good one costs $35 or so. I rented it from
US-1. After I applied all the torque I could, the BJ still didn't go
out. I left it there and stepped aside starting to think what else I can
do. In ~2 min I heard a BANG and it was out. The fource was so large
that it won the battle with friction. There is also a special tool,
called a tie-rod separator (not a fork-like but also a puller-like). It
is really expensive (like $70 or so). It looks like it is made exactly
for this job but I don't have/never used       it

With front BJ (it faces up) there is no place for a puller. So, you will
have to pry it out. Two tricks:
1. try turning wheels to get an optimal angle
2. remove a nut that is holding the link rod of the anti-rowbar. (This
would ease lowering a control arm with bj out of the clamp)

Before you insert a BJ back sand-paper it to remove rust and apply
grease. When you turn the nut on it (still not sure if there is any) the
BJ might try to turn with the nut inside the clamp). You can try to
hammer it a little(!) to slightly missalighn it in the clamp.
Missalighnemnt would make a grip stronger and you will be able to fasten
the nut.

Hope this helps,

Andrei