GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Damn strut collar nut

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North West England
    Posts
    26

    Default Damn strut collar nut

    Sick of the front end being slightly lower on one side, so had a brain wave and decided to dismantle front suspension and rebuild with the parts I got ready for better weather (as if in the uk!). Things going great until the strut collar nuts were seized on both sides

    Left side I eventually got off by gingerly sawing through the 'ring' so I could split it in half.

    Right side came off with 24" stilsons (pipe wrench for USA?) and a length of scaffold pipe.

    Struggled for hours getting them both off but I suppose there is some satisfaction I finally cracked it (and a few knuckles)

    Some one suggested I should wrap the threads in PTFE after assembly to stop water getting in and causing the same problem again, what do you all think?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    160

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Old Man Pete View Post

    Some one suggested I should wrap the threads in PTFE after assembly to stop water getting in and causing the same problem again, what do you all think?
    I guess you could try it ... make sure to pour oil into the strut housing ... it will help dissipate heat from the strut.

    Ken

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    if rust is the cause then yes
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North West England
    Posts
    26

    Default

    definately rust, the date on the mounts was 11/92 and 6/95 so I'm guessing they've been there a long time!

    Thanks for the reminder Ken, I also got one as the old oil poured out at my feet :P

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    139

    Default Disregard the manual for tightening torque

    It makes me cringe to say this as I normally do everything by the manual. However, for the front strut collar nut, use your pipe wrench and tighten them as snug as possible to keep from having to do it again like I did. From the sound of it you probably already did this, but don't bother re using the original collar - they're readily available, and not very much.
    May the Schwarz be with you...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    North West England
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Couldn't reuse them even if I wanted too,one was sawn in half and the other mangled in by a 24" pair of stilsons.
    Copper greased exposed threads and PTFE tape on top of that to try and stop any problems if I have to ever do it again!

    Tightened them to a really loud grunt tight too!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    167

    Default

    Probably a bit late now, but look at the picture at the bottom of this page that I added in - a very easy way to take the collar on/off:



    I think alot of the time, applying enough force is not the issue, but getting that force into the parts you want is more the problem
    Last edited by sal_park; 01-30-2009 at 04:55 AM.

Similar Threads

  1. e34 strut housing collar tool?
    By saluki540i in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 11-09-2006, 06:04 PM
  2. Strut shot through strut mount! I hate Philly!
    By saj3n in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 08-02-2006, 05:36 PM
  3. Door handle collar locking nut
    By kick7ca in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-17-2006, 08:13 AM
  4. Front collar nut size?
    By Anton CH. in forum Suspension & Steering
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-28-2005, 06:51 PM
  5. Front collar nut size?
    By Anton CH. in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-28-2005, 06:51 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •