Struts

[endersjeff]

I'm replacing all four struts. Got the front ones off ok, and one rear one. But the rear right one I can't get the lower bold out of the old strut. The head broke off. Any suggestions? this is my main and only car that I bought new. It's a beautiful yellow one, just rebuilt engine, 48-50 mpg consitently. That's at 55 mph of course. Any suggestions on the lower bolt?

[quaddawg]

If the head broke off, you should be able to just drive the bolt out with a punch. (shock by the way... no struts on the rear of a Festy)

[25Horseplay]

Cut the bottom of the strut off the rubber bushing, then cut the bushing off so you can lift the strut off the bolt. Then you can heat the bolt and back it out with vise grips.

[TdDaffyFestiva]

Every One Seems to Have This Problem

Every One Seems to Have This Problem ???????

[quaddawg]

Oh crud... yea... sorry, I forgot that the lower shock mount was threaded... SORRY... do as Brian says.... you can cut it with a cut-off wheel in a die grinder, or an angle grinder..

and no, none of my Festys have ever had this problem...

PB Blaster is your friend.

[gdawgs]

If the head broke off, you should be able to just drive the bolt out with a punch. (shock by the way... no struts on the rear of a Festy)

Every rear one I've ever changed is a strut.

[festivaWES]

If you don't have to use a spring compressor.....it's not a strut.

[quaddawg]

Every rear one I've ever changed is a strut.

I guess it's silly to argue over words, but no, they are not struts, they are indeed shock absorbers.

[mattswabb]

The cause of this problem is that the bolt is rusting and seizing to the sleeve in the end of the strut (or shock). Look at your new shock and you'll see the sleeve. Once rusted and seized the strap that supports the shock doesn't allow the bolt to back out and the head breaks.

So when you put them back together be sure to goop the antiseize in the shock end.

In the past I've cut the shock and rubber away. Leave the strap that goes around the shock end in place, do not damage this. Cut the shock and rubber all away till you have the headless bolt and sleeve left. Then cut the bolt/sleeve in half lengthwise and then remove the remaining bolt/sleeve with a good pair of vise grips. You'll need an air cutoff wheel or a sawsall. I've done this a few times and always with good results.

[FB71]

ok, I have no desire to get into a pissing contest, but...

Shock absorbers only dampen suspension vibrations. They do not support or locate suspension components. They can be removed, and the vehicle will still be supported by the other suspension components.

Struts dampen vibration, and locate or support suspension components. A coil-over shock is technically a strut.

Festivas have struts at all four corners.
Your Merciless Overlord has spoken.

[quaddawg]

I guess we don't have to agree...

[FB71]

I guess we don't have to agree...

nope, we sure don't

however, I have been teaching this crap for over a decade, and wrenching on it for almost two.

But seriously, It doesn't matter what we call them, as long as the original question was answered, which it was.

[lastplace]

a strut contains both a shock absorber and a coil spring( or air in some cases) and therefore the rear is a strut

[Mike McKown]

Wikipedia

An automotive suspension strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with the ability to support sideways loads not along its axis of compression, somewhat similar to a sliding pillar suspension, thus eliminating the need for an upper suspension arm. This means that a strut must have a more rugged design, with mounting points near its middle for attachment of such loads.

[jglutz]

Here's and engineer's spin on the difference between a strut and a coil over shock.....a struct is an active/radial member of the suspension system. Or more simply put....a strut controls the direction of motion.

But after Jim's recent post on engineers....I should probalbly keep to myself.