Suspension & Brakes - Top of strut rusted fast, what do I do?

Please help I've been at this all day anyone got any ideas how to get the d(*^ strut apart? No torch available. I have new springs and I'm on my way to get new struts. Thanks Y'all.

Lots of liquid wrench and an impact work at times.

No air tools available... tore apart in apartment garage!

got friends with tools?

if not, about all you can do is soak it with WD-40 or some other penetrating lubricant for a few hours, then try working it tighter/looser, back & forth....sometimes that will help it to finally break loose. also, if you have an electric drill with a wire wheel on it, you can break loose a lot of the rust off the top so that once it starts moving, it won't lock up again as easy. maybe even a regular wire brush could work also.

LOL you guys seem to think I havent tried all the easy stuff! I need to separate the the coil from the strut to retrieve the keepers for the spring. Come on lets get creative!

LOL you guys seem to think I havent tried all the easy stuff! I need to separate the the coil from the strut to retrieve the keepers for the spring. Come on lets get creative!

it sounds like you're wanting us to help you turn water into wine, without using grapes.....we're no messiahs here

no torch, no power/pneumatic tools....there's not much else really for you to do except keep working at it manually. maybe we can all do an indian dance to pray to the rust gods to release their hold on your rusted shocks..... :D

if nothing else, use a hacksaw to cut through the top of the rod, just below the nut.

pb blaster, this stuff works miracles. it was the only thing that helped got my exhaust bolts to bust loose.

That was note number two that I posted in the other thread. Often the bolts or nuts have to be cut. Your not saving the shock or nut so cutting the shaft is also an idea.

Just making sure you are using spring compressors too right? I'd hate to not hear from you tomorrow to find out you sent the spring through your head.

Just making sure you are using spring compressors too right? I'd hate to not hear from you tomorrow to find out you sent the spring through your head.

i know, huh? that would actually be kinda funny if that was the reason the nut won't turn.... :D

Cut the nut.

If all else fails, take the strut to a shop.

After 8 years of rust in the NE, I was able to get one side off but not the other. The shop did this in 10 minutes without charge.

I had the same problem with my shock/strut install.

Lucky for me I was at work and had access to a chop saw... I just cut right through the piston rod - easy.

Air tools did not work for me at home bye-the-way...

The shop did this with low-tech, however. They used a BIG set of vice grips wedged into the spring and an air ratchet....

If you use any heat be careful not to damage the rubber pieces. A heat gun or hair drier rather than a torch is good.

drive an impact socket onto the nut-take a breaker bar and break the shaft.