Working with my son on new struts

[schlot]

Ok, so my boy and I are working on the SVO suspension now and had a couple of questions.

We bought a used set of Koni's (with less than 6k on it....crosses fingers) They came with the onion heads still attached. I've got a couple questions.

1) With the onion heads still attached to the newer strut, is their a trick in getting the top nut off the strut? I was able to loosen the top nut on the strut that is on the car with no problem, but can't get the new struts unbolted from their onion heads. Or is it just as easy to unbolt the old strut and onion head that's on the car and replace the whole unit?

2) When we took the brake caliper, rotor and shield off, I found a "paper" type gasket that was between the rear of the rotor and the front face of the spindle. The bearings and rear seal on the rotor have been replaced, but this is the first time I saw this very thing gasket. It looks very old. Should I replace it, and if so, is it a common part and what the heck is it?

Thanks a whole lot guys.

[SVOeric]

#1 -- you can't do #1....
the onion head will have to come off the koni. you can't put it on without removing it. The easiest way to remove it is with a air impact gun.

#2 I don't know if the gaskets are still available. I didn't use the gaskets when I reassembled mine.

[schlot]

Thanks. Will grab an impact wrench and give it a shot.

[schlot]

Did the trick! Got another question. I compared the old struts and the new struts...and the very top adjustment "screw" are different between the two. The ones on the car (stock I believe) have an adjustment screw that is essentially half of a circle (when looking down on it).

The newer struts have what looks similar to the end of a regular (not the cross kind... as my wife would say) screwdriver sticking up.

Is this normal? Are these '85 - up struts? Are there then two different types of adjustment knobs for the struts? My car is an '84 and when I bought the struts it was listed for an '84 - '86 SVO .

Thanks again.

[schlot]

Thanks...I was hoping it was something simple like that...and that we didn't buy Koni's for a Yugo or Skoda.

[NavySVO]

Does KONI still make struts for Yugo?

Only for the Yugo wagon, which is appropriatly name a Weego

[schlot]

Oh one more non Skoda comment...I checked on the "Brake Shield" gasket. They are not stocked by Ford anymore....part number was D88Z - 2B160-A.

[schlot]

Ok...was just trying to get the struts disconnected from the spindles. Using a large air compressor cranked to 100psi, and a new impact wrench, but we can't budge those lower bolts. Even soaked them with liquid wrench. Any trade secrets out there?

[Donlin]

I used a very long cheater bar as my impact gun didnt do the trick either.

[SVOeric]

Yep... you need a breaker bar, and might need a cheater bar on the end of that...
Leverage is your friend

[schlot]

Well we will give that a shot....now where is that 10' length of pipe?

[85ttops]

Yep... you need a breaker bar, and might need a cheater bar on the end of that...
Leverage is your friend

this is how ive done both my 82 and 84 mustang , ive got it down now . you dont even need to pull the rotor

[MacToolsSVO]

Ive always relied on heat....that does the trick for me - most of the time anything I use leverage on snaps off, although the knuckle to strut bolts are pretty hardy.

Andy

[schlot]

The bottom bolt and nuts on the struts are 24 and 21. I guess I'll have to try a big pipe tonight....have only one impact wrench and it's not a big one.

[schlot]

Got you there....the ratchet isn't made for that abuse. I've the got the typical horizontal air compressor with wheels....Menards special, 120 V and tops out at about 110 psi.

Actually was toying with the thought of grabbing the nut with one hand and having my son jump on my arm to see if we could break it free. Kind of like a mullet wearing caveman kind of breaker bar.