strut question

[willyps]

Hi all,

First time posting on this forum.

I'm the 4th owner of HLS30-02675.

Currently, I'm stuck on the struts. There's this gland packing on the top of the strut assembly. The manuals call for special tool ST35500000. From what I can see, this tool is basically a large hex head wrench but my gland packing is round with two notches lined up on a diameter.

Any tricks on getting this sucker off? Another special tool perhaps?

Thanks

Bill

Kingston, WA

[=Enigma=]

I think many people use a simple pipe wrench to get these off. I've never seen the type of gland nut you're referring to but this should still work.

[Arne]

Yeah, a pipe wrench will work. Or back when I did struts for a living, I generally used a very large pair of channel-lock pliers, about 30 inches long. Those worked great.

[ggarrard]

I agree with the pipe wrench approach...but make sure the wrench is well positioned on the gland nut, and not the strut tube... :-) The gland nut doesn't like to move when you're clamping the strut tube (BTDT....)

GWGarrard

[Carl Beck]

Place a 6 to 8 inch long metal drift in the slot ( a very dull, very dull metal chisel will work) - such that it is driving the gland nut off - and hit the drift with a big heavy hammer..

Once you have it broke loose - you can turn it with either the pipe wrench or the large channel locks.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[jmortensen]

I use channel locks as well. Whatever you use, just don't slip and scratch the shock shaft when you're tightening your new ones down. That'll kill the seal.

[Arne]

Channel locks are better than a pipe wrench, easier to control. To prevent damage to the shaft I normally push a bump-stop all the way down.

[willyps]

Great advice. Thanks to all for responding. I think I can handle that.

[willyps]

As Enigma said, a simple pipe wrench...18 incher worked like a charm!

[John Coffey]

Or, just a thought, maybe buy the proper spanner wrench:

http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplCtlgPage.aspx?ReqTyp=CATALOG&CtlgPgNbr=2696&term=Gland%2bNut%2bWrenches&sesnextrep=890573254424949&ScreenWidth=1024&McMMainWidth=758

Just a cazy idea ya know; using the proper tool for the job.

[jmortensen]

Or, just a thought, maybe buy the proper spanner wrench:

http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplCtlgPage.aspx?ReqTyp=CATALOG&CtlgPgNbr=2696&term=Gland%2bNut%2bWrenches&sesnextrep=890573254424949&ScreenWidth=1024&McMMainWidth=758

Just a cazy idea ya know; using the proper tool for the job.

Wussy!