calling out for help (cross posted from the V8 emergency section)

[SuperHO]

So both right side struts on my 98 are completely blown. it takes absolutely no effort at all to move the strut up and down by hand, and each pothole (this is michigan, so there's one every 38 feet or so) feels like the car just fell off a 4 foot cliff and landed flat. So sitting in my garage are 4 brand new Motorcraft 2002 Taurus Struts, 4 brand new strut mounts (the fronts have bearings) and 4 brand new Eibach Springs for a 98 Taurus LX (parts list courtesy of Mr. A). The rear setup has now become a quickstrut thingy, as i've got them assembled, but the fronts need the hardware, which I was going to take off the existing struts.

Problem: The friggin things won't come out. I had the right rear strut out a couple of months ago to change it, which is when I realized the nut holding the strut mount on was so badly rusted, I'd either need copious amounts of heat or a sawzall to get it off. So I threw it back together (after drilling out the snapped pinch bolt and putting a new bolt in).

This morning, I was feeling my oats despite my 4:45am bedtime and proceeded to tear the old whore apart....only to find getting the strut out of the knuckle was proving simply impossible for a guy with basic hand tools, a large hammer and a floor jack with jack stands.

So, SHOForum, I plead to you...would anyone be willing to lend a hand with these God Forsaken contraptions before I drive this car into a phone pole, collect the insurance and get something reasonably reliable?

 

[Aleffewmo]

I don't know how much of a hand I could be, but I'd be up for it if you want me to.

 

[St Louis SHO]

The fronts? If so, drop the Subframe down about an inch and they will come out easy. Only do one side at a time though

- James

 

[SuperHO]

actually, I haven't touched the fronts. I figured if the rear strut I've already had out was being such a *****, the ones that've been in the car for 11 years and 150k miles wouldn't be worth the sweat, blood and cussing that was certain to insue...

 

[St Louis SHO]

Ahh... If you have a chisel, wedge it in the opening where the pinch bolt goes and smack it with a hammer.. (if the pinch came out) if not, I got nothing. Sorry.

 

[SuperHO]

yeah...that's pretty much the problem I have now....I simply have little to no desire to break anymore pinch bolts. A local shop told me $250 if I bring in my parts, but like everyone else, money's tight right now, so I was hoping to find someone on here who's knowledgeable enough to know that i'n not using SARC struts on this car anymore and there are gonna be some stuff that needs...shall we say, modified?

 

[LJRuddy]

SuperHO... If you end up needing any random bolts/SHO crap, let me know. I have a SARC 98 gen 3 sitting here for a parts car. I'll be happy to give ya whatever you might need. :wave:

 

[SuperHO]

I'll probably have to hit you up on that for some pinch bolts or something....all the rest of the SARC stuff's going the way of the Dodo...