gtstcactus

Hey guys,

I know there are many threads regarding hood struts and removing them etc,.,

I got a new pair off Ebay and they arrived and appear to be all good. I've got the drivers side support on but am having trouble with the passenger side support (right hand drive vehicle)...
I've managed to remove the bolt which secures the bracket to the fender but can't remove the bolt / ballbearing from the hood (which still has the strut attached. It seems on of the previous owners has rounded / stripped the bolt, so I don't seem to be able to remove it. I'm unable to remove the strut from.

Has anyone got any tricks or tips that might help???

I've sprayed with crc hoping to loosen the bolt also.

I've tried using an adjustable spanner, 12mm Spanner, vice grips, and hammer to beat the strut off the ball bearing without luck. Also tried a hacksaw but the one I have can't get a good angle to cut.

so in summary HELP please!!!

gtstcactus

anyone???

Would taking to the strut plastic where the ballbearing is with a drill do the trick??? At least then I should be able to take to the bolt with a stud extractor socket...???

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

You're dealing with a stripped bolt. You could try hammering a slightly smaller socket onto the bolt or getting one of those bolt extractors. Not much anyone can help you with.

gtstcactus

the bolt is the easy part even in it's stripped state, but to get to it with a socket bolt remover i need to separate the strut from the bolts ball-bearing end. So separating the strut & bolt is what I need help with..... I've tried belting it with a hammer to no avail, all my body weight pushing on it won't do it.... it's driving me nuts!

artbuc

Isn't there a spring metal clip which captures the ball? If yes, just pry off that clip to release the ball. If no, use a Dremel or other cut-off tool.

gtstcactus

The replacements I purchased have the clip to aid releasing the strut from ball, but the original factory struts don't have such a clip.... Do yes I'm going to have to use something of the sort... I don't have a dremel but might buy one if I need to, I'm going to try attacking it with a drill hoping it will crack & split the plastic so I can remove it...

gtstcactus

I ended up pulling the strut to one side and managed to snap the the bolt, the ball bearing came off still in the strut! At least now I can try and get it off with a stud extractor socket or something of the sort...