Removing OEM Cartridge From Front Strut

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VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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Sup guys, I've been searching the forums for a while. I've picked up some amazing nuggets of information which I really appreciate.
My question is - How exactly does one remove the OEM shock cartridge from the strut tube?

I've seen pix of aftermarket shocks inserted into OEM strut tubes with fabricated bushings however the closest I've gotten to cartridge removal is someone mentioning using a chisel and hammer.

Can anyone offer available options to pry that old bugger of a cartridge from my strut tube's cold metal clutches? :help:

I've read in full thread's like
Consider this before strut replacement post6342867.html?hilit=strut%20cartridge#p6342867
New struts for $40!!!!!! forums.nicoclub.com/new-struts-for-40-t500487.htm
Re: Help!!! Need Struts!!! forums.nicoclub.com/post6162851.html?hilit=1994 J30 front struts#p6162851
Any many more

Thanks in advance


J30tChumpCar
Posts: 487
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:34 pm
Car: 1995 J30t Totaled @ Charlotte motor speedway
1994 J30 gutted caged road racer Now with VH45DE!
1966 Chevy Corvair V8 mid-ship conversion
Location: WPB Fl.
Contact:

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After removing the spring all it takes is a big pipe wrench or giant channel lock pliers to unscrew the top cap where the old guts just pull out... watch the oil.
Saying that
I race on the stock struts, found a used cap that did not leak, changed the worn out watery oil with motorcycle fork oil and reassembled.

VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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I bought these for the rears http://www.ebay.com/itm/261290441140?ss ... 1439.l2649 Monroe 71209
And these for the fronts http://www.ebay.com/itm/310275281306?ss ... 1439.l2649 KYB 365056

I attempted to have the KYBs installed in the fronts however the OEM strut cartridge appeared to be bolted on or soddered this is why I wanted to know if it was safe to use a hammer and chisel.

I will use a pipe wrench or channel lock to remove that OEM cartridge however now I'm debating whether or not the Energy Bushings are absolutely necessary, I will look over some threads to confirm... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Energy-Suspensi ... ef&vxp=mtr

J30tChumpCar
Posts: 487
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:34 pm
Car: 1995 J30t Totaled @ Charlotte motor speedway
1994 J30 gutted caged road racer Now with VH45DE!
1966 Chevy Corvair V8 mid-ship conversion
Location: WPB Fl.
Contact:

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Are you trying to separate the strut from spindle with the chisel?

VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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Plan B, I got lucky and received a callback from a local Nissan Z Specialist in Forest Park, GA just 15 mins from me & Summit Racing.
After we spoke for while about his VH45DE (Q45 Engine) 300ZX swap I had the impression that he wouldn't be interested in doing a simple strut job however he offered to help me with my struts and then some lol.

*** Here are some pix of my fronts & rears, I ordered a pair of KYB SB108 Strut Boots & Bump Stoppers they should arrive by next Thursday.
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I plan on installing the fronts tomorrow and the rears next week along with brakes.

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andre1038
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:27 pm
Car: 1994 Infiniti J30t (Sold)
1990 Nissan 300zx (RB Project)
1994 300zx Twin turbo (500hp Daily)
2012 M56s
1998 Infiniti Q45 black on black (Sold)
1996 Infiniti G20
1992 Infiniti Q45 (R.I.P)

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Any update on how the fronts worked?

VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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Sorry for the late post guys, I just finished moving and my internet has just been installed. Now that I'm back online here is my update.

The guys at Automotive Extreme did an incredible job, they went above and beyond the call.
The KYB inserts work like a charm, it rides better than new! however I can feel the back struts causing trouble... I will install the rears in a few weeks along with an Energy Suspension Master Kit for 300ZX.

I noticed better braking, no more bottoming out on minor bumps, better acceleration and more comfort during 80-90mph ( also because of wheel alignment)


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P1180024 by VaLiD_MiR, on Flickr
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P1180027 by VaLiD_MiR, on Flickr
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VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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In the previous post I showed the Carving bit used to drill the ID along with the actually carving taking place as well as the ID after it's been widened.

At 1st the guys @ Automotive Extreme (Slim & his son) used a cutting bit but that took over an hour to complete so I bought a carving bit as requested which did the job in about 15-30 mins.

I also loaded a pic of the driver side strut tube to show lack of oil, which was part of the reason why I had a crappy ride.

I used the strut boot & bump stopper that came with the Monroe rears on the front and will be using KYB SB108 strut boots on the rears. I believe these are polyurethanes.

Here is a pic of Automotive Extreme's 450z, I was told this was the 1st 450Z car ever.... this conversion was done over 10+ years ago... I was lucky to have legends work on my car, a steal at any price... to see and hear this baby coming towards you is something I can't really describe...
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450Z by Automotive Xtreme by VaLiD_MiR, on Flickr

Right now 2/13/14 there's a snow storm emergency here in ATL, once that's over I will install the rear struts... then install a WeaponR Secret Weapon Cold air intake. I aim to do a true dual intake like Swimshark has but I'm still learning about dual MAF sensor mod and so on...
There's a looooong list of thing's I'd like to do I'll just post em as I go along...

VaLiD_Mir
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:19 am
Car: Black 1994 Infiniti J30

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After driving with the Monroes rear struts installed for about a week I've come to the conclusion that Monroe 71209's are NOT compatible the the 94' J30s. The ride quality on streets is worse than my OEM rear struts @260,000+ miles. Very bumpy and jerky ride, I find my self jumping out of my seat having the seat belt grip me on certain bumps. I feel these struts can't properly handle the weight of the car.

Now highway driving on the other hand... whoa! :yesnod yeah... it's still rough but I feel like I'm driving much closer to the ground, that feeling is undeniable. I drove @ 105 mph with slight discomfort as opposed to the frightening sensation of impending doom @ 85 mph on my OEM struts & bad wheel allignment. 90 mph is nearly easy & 100+ is slightly uncomfortable.. I'm more peeved at the exhaust sound than the drive at this level.

It could also mean that my Monroes we faulty as they both didn't return to normal strut height when I pushed them down. Pushing my OEM struts were much harder compared to the Monroes which went down pretty easily.

I plan on getting KYB struts for rears or maybe get a full set of struts & coils used on Q45s.... still planning...

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P2140107 by VaLiD_MiR, on Flickr
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P2140106 by VaLiD_MiR, on Flickr
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Niti QX4
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:45 am
Car: 2004 Nissan Xterra

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Old thread revival - any updates?

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Niti QX4
Posts: 173
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:45 am
Car: 2004 Nissan Xterra

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VaLiD_Mir wrote:
Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:58 am
Plan B, I got lucky and received a callback from a local Nissan Z Specialist in Forest Park, GA just 15 mins from me & Summit Racing.
After we spoke for while about his VH45DE (Q45 Engine) 300ZX swap I had the impression that he wouldn't be interested in doing a simple strut job however he offered to help me with my struts and then some lol.

*** Here are some pix of my fronts & rears, I ordered a pair of KYB SB108 Strut Boots & Bump Stoppers they should arrive by next Thursday.
Image
Image

I plan on installing the fronts tomorrow and the rears next week along with brakes.
Picture links don't seem to work?


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