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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!