Rear strut removal

moses1227 · Jul 4, 2015

I'm having trouble removing the rear struts on my GS. I put in Tein springs on the front without much issue (other than some seized up sway bar link bolts).

On the rear, there's the obvious bolt & washer at the bottom that appears to hold the strut to the knuckle. But no matter how much I bang, pry, jack it up, bang and pry again, it won't come off.

Where the strut mounts to the knuckle I can also see what looks to be like a hex bolt (size is 32). Do I need to loosen/remove this in order to get the strut off. I've never seen anything like this. Normally it's just one bolt and a little wiggling/hammering.

Any advice with someone who's done it before?

CrAnSwIcK · Jul 5, 2015

does it feel like it's spring loaded? or will it not budge at all?

moses1227 · Jul 5, 2015

Yeah where the strut slides onto the knuckle it almost feels like there's some give. Almost like there's a rubber gasket keeping in place. "Stretchiness", I would say.

Clovisman · Jul 6, 2015

GROUP 34 REAR SUSPENSION
SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY PAGE 34-16
http://tearstone.com/eclipsefsm/2006_PS24S_MMNA_SM_PDF/GR00003200-34.pdf

Okay, the top assembly where the hex wrench goes is part of your strut dampener shaft. You need to install the hex wrench to prevent the shaft from turning, then with a box wrench you can loosen the bolt. Hope that makes sense.

moses1227 · Jul 6, 2015

Just realized we're talking about two totally different things. Please reread my original post and notice I'm not talking about removing the strut top cover. I'm trying to remove the strut from the knuckle.

moses1227 · Jul 6, 2015

I'm not talking about removing the spring bud

unde7277 · Jul 6, 2015

The bushing gets seized onto the knuckle, it happens pretty often. If you can't get it out with peer force, then you may have to remove the knuckle the with the strut and put it on the work bench and hammer it out. Your other option is to torch the bushing to get it off and buy a new strut.

moses1227 · Jul 10, 2015

Clovisman said:
Penetrating oil ??

My mistake the bottom, very easy to remove.

Okay, as long as I don't need to remove that huge nut behind the knuckle and just the stud holding the strut on. I couldn't tell if there was something else holding it on.

Clovisman · Jul 6, 2015

Penetrating oil ??

My mistake the bottom, very easy to remove.

Haydu · Jul 10, 2015

Okay I had the same problem on my 06 GS about a month ago. What I did was I took an angle grinder and put a cutting wheel on it, then cut upwards into the strut and it came off pretty easily. That's if you don't feel the need to reuse the strut. I banged, pryed, lubed, and etc. for hours trying to get it off

CrAnSwIcK · Jul 17, 2015

I've done struts that were so seized that I had a breaker bar go almost a half turn before it broke loose after dousing it with penetrating oil for 2 days, adding heat etc.

TehCimsonFawks · May 7, 2023

Does anyone know what size lock washer goes on the bottom of the strut? um not having any luck finding a replacement.

Rear strut removal

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