This F*cking Front Strut !!!!

K_style · 11-15-2015, 09:17 PM

I have spent last 2 day to uninstall front struts to install my new pretty coilovers however this stupid strut would not come off from the spindle !!!

Researched and looked everywhere but I tried chisel, 3/8">1/4" step down, pry bar... just about everything but Schwaben spreader just because no one around me carries it perhaps I shouldn't have started to begin with...

Especially with chisel, spindle got loosen enough to let go of the strut for this son of gun is not coming off...

I was wondering if there is "trick" or special method that I am not aware of?

Can someone help me?!???

AriuSen · 11-15-2015, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_style

I have spent last 2 day to uninstall front struts to install my new pretty coilovers however this stupid strut would not come off from the spindle !!!

Researched and looked everywhere but I tried chisel, 3/8">1/4" step down, pry bar... just about everything but Schwaben spreader just because no one around me carries it perhaps I shouldn't have started to begin with...

Especially with chisel, spindle got loosen enough to let go of the strut for this son of gun is not coming off...

I was wondering if there is "trick" or special method that I am not aware of?

Can someone help me?!???

Have you seen ecs video on YouTube how to install coilover? He uses that thing to remove the strut. Also video from Bavarian motorsport.

K_style · 11-15-2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3SennA

Have you seen ecs video on YouTube how to install coilover? He uses that thing to remove the strut. Also video from Bavarian motorsport.

That's the Schwaben spreader I posted above... which I am convinced that I should just order that and do it right to begin with...

TXmtrhed · 11-16-2015, 08:03 AM

You can make your own - find a short hex bolt and take it to a grinder.

tdott · 11-16-2015, 08:32 AM

I didn't have this problem but mine might not have been as seized as yours. I didn't use that type of tool either. I think I just used pry bar to open up the collar a bit and it came out.

I remember the fronts being super easy for me, both came out in less than an hour. I had access to a hoist so that made it easier.

K_style · 11-16-2015, 09:01 AM

I actually ordered a Schwaben tool through Sears.. but I don't think it will make much difference than a chisel... Since I didn't apply penetrating spray yet, that is my next step..

tdott · 11-16-2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_style

I actually ordered a Schwaben tool through Sears.. but I don't think it will make much difference than a chisel... Since I didn't apply penetrating spray yet, that is my next step..

Can you take a picture of what yours looks like? Curious to see how it looks.

pbonsalb · 11-16-2015, 02:05 PM

I did not have any issues changing removing struts on my 08. Can you get them so they can twist just a bit? I loosened the collar bolts and spread the sleeve opening a bit. Try spraying some penetrant in there -- maybe your strut bodies have corroded to the sleeve. Never seen the schwaben spreader until this thread. Sometimes a special tool can be useful, but have not read of issues with this job. BMW has had strut sleeves like this since at least the E39 that came out in 97 (I changed the struts on my 99 E39 about 10 years ago).

K_style · 11-18-2015, 11:29 AM

Schwaben tool comes in today and will tackle down again today.

Update coming !!!

wheatpaste · 11-19-2015, 01:32 AM

A little squirt of PB Blaster should go a long way for you. Really don't think the tool is necessary.

K_style · 11-19-2015, 11:37 AM

So I got the tool and used it but wasn't really much of better help than chisel.
The secret sauce was Liquid Wrench. I soaked it for a few mins but it came out with minimum of effort...

Feels so disappointed because i didn't try this to begin with.

Anyways finished both fronts in less than 30mins and doing rears today.

bigjae1976 · 11-21-2015, 03:44 PM

Keep the strut mount bolted, lots of PB blaster and then beat on the spindle with a rubber mallet.

DR-JEKL · 12-12-2015, 12:53 AM

I soaked mine in wd40 for ten minutes, then beat the shit out of the bottom of the strut with a rubber mallet.

Took me a good 10 minutes per strut though

Move Over · 12-16-2015, 05:58 AM

I used a 1/4 extension and hammered it into the slot to spread the spindle. Pulled right out

11-15-2015, 09:17 PM	#1
K_style Captain 58 Rep 705 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (8)	*This Fcking Front Strut !!!!** I have spent last 2 day to uninstall front struts to install my new pretty coilovers however this stupid strut would not come off from the spindle !!! Researched and looked everywhere but I tried chisel, 3/8">1/4" step down, pry bar... just about everything but Schwaben spreader just because no one around me carries it perhaps I shouldn't have started to begin with... Especially with chisel, spindle got loosen enough to let go of the strut for this son of gun is not coming off... I was wondering if there is "trick" or special method that I am not aware of? Can someone help me?!??? __________________
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11-16-2015, 08:03 AM	#4
TXmtrhed First Lieutenant 37 Rep 381 Posts Drives: VO 1M Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Katy, TX iTrader: (0)	You can make your own - find a short hex bolt and take it to a grinder. __________________
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11-16-2015, 08:32 AM	#5
tdott Brigadier General 3956 Rep 3,997 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South FL / 6ix iTrader: (4)	I didn't have this problem but mine might not have been as seized as yours. I didn't use that type of tool either. I think I just used pry bar to open up the collar a bit and it came out. I remember the fronts being super easy for me, both came out in less than an hour. I had access to a hoist so that made it easier. __________________ N/A S65 Headers Before/After Dyno Results
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11-16-2015, 09:01 AM	#6
K_style Captain 58 Rep 705 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (8)	I actually ordered a Schwaben tool through Sears.. but I don't think it will make much difference than a chisel... Since I didn't apply penetrating spray yet, that is my next step.. __________________
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11-16-2015, 02:05 PM	#8
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5293 Rep 10,686 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I did not have any issues changing removing struts on my 08. Can you get them so they can twist just a bit? I loosened the collar bolts and spread the sleeve opening a bit. Try spraying some penetrant in there -- maybe your strut bodies have corroded to the sleeve. Never seen the schwaben spreader until this thread. Sometimes a special tool can be useful, but have not read of issues with this job. BMW has had strut sleeves like this since at least the E39 that came out in 97 (I changed the struts on my 99 E39 about 10 years ago).
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11-18-2015, 11:29 AM	#9
K_style Captain 58 Rep 705 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (8)	Schwaben tool comes in today and will tackle down again today. Update coming !!! __________________
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11-19-2015, 01:32 AM	#10
wheatpaste Private First Class 12 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (3)	A little squirt of PB Blaster should go a long way for you. Really don't think the tool is necessary.
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11-19-2015, 11:37 AM	#11
K_style Captain 58 Rep 705 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (8)	So I got the tool and used it but wasn't really much of better help than chisel. The secret sauce was Liquid Wrench. I soaked it for a few mins but it came out with minimum of effort... Feels so disappointed because i didn't try this to begin with. Anyways finished both fronts in less than 30mins and doing rears today. __________________
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11-21-2015, 03:44 PM	#12
bigjae1976 Major General 1581 Rep 8,077 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	Keep the strut mount bolted, lots of PB blaster and then beat on the spindle with a rubber mallet. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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12-12-2015, 12:53 AM	#13
DR-JEKL Major General 900 Rep 6,285 Posts Drives: Space Grey E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Newcastle Ozstraylia iTrader: (3)	I soaked mine in wd40 for ten minutes, then beat the shit out of the bottom of the strut with a rubber mallet. Took me a good 10 minutes per strut though
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12-16-2015, 05:58 AM	#14
Move Over Colonel 1261 Rep 2,495 Posts Drives: M3 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Peninsula iTrader: (9)	I used a 1/4 extension and hammered it into the slot to spread the spindle. Pulled right out __________________ 2010 E92 M3 DCT
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