Front strut replacement problem

[petronix]

Do not heat struts with a torch! They can / will be damaged internally. In an extreme situation they could become over pressurized and explode fluid.

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[slime_bullet]

I found that if you leave the bottom torqued down and remove the top one first works best. I've been there until I did this.

 

[Oakley]

before i just sanded down the splines enough to fit snuggly but not get stuck I took the calipers off and used a balljoint press to just scoot the bolts out.

 

[petronix]

Interesting about the balljoint press. I was thinking to try this when I swap springs in the next couple of weeks. Good to know it works.

 

[WItoTX]

I had one side come off easy, the other, same boat, questioning my life choices, where I went so wrong, and how much I let my parents down.

I just kept hammering, and finally got it. I think I ended up removing the caliper and rotor to get a bit more leverage on the hammer.

 

[Roger Blose]

I am taking my car into a high performance shop to have the work done. I did learn that the two knuckle to strut splined bolts and nuts are one time use parts according to Ford. I just bought a fresh set to be installed next week. Once they beat on the old ones, it nice to have all new going in.

 

[Mustangcol]

I've done hundreds of struts and never had a splined bolt give me a problem. I thread the nut on so not to destroy the threads, turn the wheel by grabbing the rotor and turning it so its a clean shot, and hit it with a big hammer. I have the mac tools ball peen hammer set, the biggest being 48oz, a few good strikes and it flies out.

 

[Roger Blose]

I had the struts installed by a pro shop and they knew of the splined bolts. They hit them really hard and then used my new supplied Ford OEM pieces. Not cheap but done. Now struggling with a fresh alignment and getting a straight steering wheel. It is always something but the wheel has to be straight!

 

[kz]

I had the struts installed by a pro shop and they knew of the splined bolts. They hit them really hard and then used my new supplied Ford OEM pieces. Not cheap but done. Now struggling with a fresh alignment and getting a straight steering wheel. It is always something but the wheel has to be straight!

There ford service bolts with smooth shank that aside from being easier to install / uninstall also allow slightly more camber adjustment.

If this shop can't align the car with a straight wheel, they have nothing to do with being Pro. This absolute fundamental thing about adjusting toe, set wheel straight and hold it and the adjust it.

 

[CoolRod]

I rented a ball joint press from a local parts store when I changed my springs. Works so much better than beating the ever loving sh*t out of the bolts. Plus, the press doesn't destroy the bolt threads.

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