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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: raueda1 on 09 May 2018, 06:59 PM

Title: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: raueda1 on 09 May 2018, 06:59 PM
This is making me nuts.  I'm having a bear of a time getting the hoses off the struts.  The coupling assembly is too fat to get a box end wrench on and I'm afraid of rounding off the nut with a regular crescent wrench (more than I have already).   I was afraid of putting a torch on the strut housing for fear of frying something in the strut.  I tried freezing the hose fitting with "canned air" (spraying upside down it comes out fluid and is extremely cold) but no luck with that.  Are there any tricks to try?  It's not rusted.  Thanks,
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: floyd111 on 09 May 2018, 07:02 PM
I hear BMW make pretty good cars.. 8)
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: rumb on 09 May 2018, 08:15 PM
For situations like this I buy an appropriate sized wrench and then use a grinder to slim it down to the thickness needed.

Clamp the strut in a mounted vice and if needed fit a length of pipe on the end of the wrench for more torque.
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: raueda1 on 09 May 2018, 08:27 PM
Quote from: rumb on 09 May 2018, 08:15 PM
For situations like this I buy an appropriate sized wrench and then use a grinder to slim it down to the thickness needed.

Clamp the strut in a mounted vice and if needed fit a length of pipe on the end of the wrench for more torque.
I basically did that.  To be clear, I'm not taking the strut apart, I'm trying to get the hose off.  Wrench fits fine.  It isn't torque that's the problem here.  The fitting is so friggin' tight that I'm rounding off the corners of the bolt or nut or whatever you call it. 
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: TJ 450 on 09 May 2018, 09:54 PM
If you have any luck, it would be a great success. I've never been able to remove them except on a parts strut that was damaged in the process.

BMW, lol, well I guess the grass is always greener.

Tim
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: wbrian63 on 10 May 2018, 08:17 AM
I guess I've been lucky - never had any problem getting them loose.

My technique is a bit brutal, but it has worked well enough. Not sure it would be successful now that you've got rounded corners, but...

Put wrench on fitting. Clamp strut in vise - it needs to remain fixed in place.

Take large ball-peen hammer (never use a hammer designed to drive nails - they can fracture when used to strike other large metal objects) and smack the wrench to break the connection loose. You want a big hammer and a decisive swing. Gently tapping is only going to round the fastener.

If you can't get them apart - maybe you can cut the hose off just above the hex with a hack saw and use a socket?

Alternately - a cheapo wrench from Harbor Freight or equivalent - and a mig welder. Tack weld the wrench to the hose - be sure to place the weld where you can grind the weld away after.

The connection is straight-thread with a copper crush washer for sealing - once you get it barely loose, it should spin freely.

I would also think that if you extend the strut fully, then heat might be applied to the housing - but I'd use something way hotter than propane or mapp gas. Acetylene/Oxygen with a rosebud tip.

Quick high heat and break the fitting loose - then cool it before the heat can spread too far.

Good luck.
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: rumb on 10 May 2018, 08:19 AM
take the hose apart and then use a socket on the piece that is left there.  Use curved vice grips to turn the outer sleeve CCW and it and the hose will come off and leave the inner cone still there.  then you can fit a socket on and get off easy.
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: daantjie on 10 May 2018, 09:55 AM
This falls into the "jobs I though would be easy turned out to be a ball buster" category :o
I can echo what has been said here.  Localized heat and a quick shock rather than prolonged pressure usually does the trick for me.  Make sure the wrench has a good, square bite, then give it a smart wack.
I used the "South-African method" before I had my bench vise.  One foot on the strut, and the other foot gives a hard step on the wrench.  Not recommended for beginners (or non South-Africans) ;D
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: tcj on 10 May 2018, 10:58 AM
and just in case you need new hoses after all - they are NLA - but we still have new ones:

Thomas
Title: Re: !!@!#!?!&%!! Getting 6.9 strut hoses off struts
Post by: raueda1 on 10 May 2018, 08:23 PM
Success!  It took a pipe wrench on the fitting cylinder (which didn't mangle the cylinder) with the strut in a huge vise.  Thanks for all the tips.  Down the road others will benefit.