rear sphere removal

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rutter123
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rear sphere removal

Post by rutter123 »

I need to remove the rear struts from the tzd breaker, my prob is i cannot pressurise the system as it has too many leaks, the spheres are b#####d tight and the rear arms are off the car, the rear struts are sitting loose in the carriers, i cant crack the spheres off with the cold chisel and mallet approach as this will damage the pipe fittings on the struts, any ideas?

My alternative is to cut the carriers open with an angle grinder and remove the whole strut c/w sphere but ideally i dont want to do this.
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ken newbold
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by ken newbold »

I don't think you'll do it. I think the only way you'll do it is to cut through the rear struts, they're only aluminium so cut easily with reciprocating saw or grinder.
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jamescarruthers
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by jamescarruthers »

Could you pressurise the strut on its own rather than using the car's leaky system?
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rutter123
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by rutter123 »

No i cant pressurise anything at the rear end as there is no pipework or anything to build up any pressure, i may have a solution.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
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Kaapelimies
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by Kaapelimies »

BX 4x4 estate, several BX Van's and some more normal estates in Finland.
Tinkley
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by Tinkley »

I have a monster chain wrench to do this job. The rears are always the hardest, the fronts and accumulator you can do even with those rubber straps most of the time. You need a fairly good sized chain (as per thread K points too), a motorcycle size one is ideal, or the pukka tool. That or any other way of getting a good 'wrap' on it and applying pressure. Even an old seat belt wrapped round would do it, as long as you can get purchase on the end with a bar.
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ken newbold
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by ken newbold »

Tinkley wrote:I have a monster chain wrench to do this job. The rears are always the hardest, the fronts and accumulator you can do even with those rubber straps most of the time. You need a fairly good sized chain (as per thread K points too), a motorcycle size one is ideal, or the pukka tool. That or any other way of getting a good 'wrap' on it and applying pressure. Even an old seat belt wrapped round would do it, as long as you can get purchase on the end with a bar.
Would you like to explain how this works when there is no pressure in the system and not even any rear arms in place?
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Tinkley
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by Tinkley »

Nothing to stop a 'wrap' around the strut part held by a bar against the ground and weight of car (or any other stop ie rear sub frame) and then the chain wrench working (normally) against it. A lot easier to crack the sods before letting it all go.... :wink: You do need the space or height off the ground to be able to do this though.
I undo the hub nuts by using a bar through the wheel nuts and on ground, against the 35mm socket (plus 1meter minimum extension) on the front hubs. As long as you can lock the twist on the rear suspension cylinder and preferably make it self tightening it should (hopefully) remain undamaged. the gaiter will have had it but that is the 'cheap' part.
Sometimes I'm sure all of us have had to be a bit 'creative' at finding solutions when we don't have all the toys... :wink:
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ken newbold
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by ken newbold »

Tinkley wrote:Nothing to stop a 'wrap' around the strut part held by a bar against the ground and weight of car (or any other stop ie rear sub frame) and then the chain wrench working (normally) against it.
Have you ever done this?
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Re: rear sphere removal

Post by rutter123 »

This is the method i used using 2 chain wrenches, yes it did ruin the gators but they are off with no further damage. They were f tight tho it was a 2 man job.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
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65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
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