New 325IX Owner...here's a list of things I'll be doing..

[nando]

Yea, thats just the passenger side though. I think the driver's side might have some material left there, but won't be able to check until Tuesday night.

it's probably not much better.

I think those are even worse than my parts car, unfortunately. hopefully I'm wrong though. :(

[Sean]

Here's the driver's side. I think it's salvageable - agreed? We ground out the rust, put in lots of PB Blaster, and it seems like it might be fixable. It's not budging so far, but I still need to torch it. If that doesn't work, out comes the cutoff wheel!

Thoughts??

[fresh_TD]

Here's the driver's side. I think it's salvageable - agreed? We ground out the rust, put in lots of PB Blaster, and it seems like it might be fixable. It's not budging so far, but I still need to torch it. If that doesn't work, out comes the cutoff wheel!

Thoughts??

you can use it, but going to have to replace in the future for sure..might as well replace both the strut housings while you're at it..just PB blast it then try to take it off if no luck, PB blast some more and then heat it up some with a torch slightly, the heat should loosen it..it make take a few runs with the torch but you'll get it off though..I also took a wire brush in between the gland nut and top of the housing and scrub it then blasted with PB to try to get it in the threads

Sent from my GS4 Active

[bradnic]

Torch that biatch dude. It took a boatload of heat a pipe wrench and a hammer to get my IX gland nuts loose enough to wrench off. Not enough heat and it won't change things.. If you're tossing the strut cartridges then you're not going to hurt anything.

And yeah that driver's side definitely looks usable. Both of mine looked like that.

[Sean]

Torch that biatch dude. It took a boatload of heat a pipe wrench and a hammer to get my IX gland nuts loose enough to wrench off. Not enough heat and it won't change things.. If you're tossing the strut cartridges then you're not going to hurt anything.

And yeah that driver's side definitely looks usable. Both of mine looked like that.

Baller! That saves me money! YAY! :D

And no, cartridges will not be reused - this one literally falls entirely on it's own when you extend it...hahah

[Northern]

I'd sand the piss out of that rust to try to clean it up as best you can, then throw on a few coats of por15 or your rust inhibiting paint of choice. Then antiseize the hell out of the threads. Should last a solid 5 years at least, especially if you coat the area in LPS3 or something after it is together.

[bradnic]

^ this x 100

take the extra strut housing money and buy yourself a por15 starter kit. WEAR GLOVES. that shit will not come off your skin for a week or more.

[Sean]

Already ordered off Amazon! :)

[Northern]

keep the rim of the POR15 can clean, wipe it clean if you drip any in there, or it will be sealed well enough to mangle the can.

Also, it lasts a good amount longer if you keep it in the fridge, even longer if you store it in a freezer/deep freeze. Otherwise, a pint can seems to have a 4-6mo shelf life once opened.

[Sean]

Thanks, Northern!

[nando]

yeah, that housing is definitely salvageable.

you could keep your eyes open if you happen to see another one - if you plan on keeping the car long term, anyway.

even the old housing can still be used for something. can you say coilovers? ;)

[Sean]

Update! I found a replacement housing. I attempted to get the one pictured above, apart this weekend - but man, what a bear! I might need to cut the shock apart...lol I cannot get that damn gland nut off!

[nando]

pipe wrench no bueno?

[fresh_TD]

pipe wrench no bueno?

This plus PB, torch..are you putting the housing in a vise? Or you trying to hold it down yourself?

Sent from my GS4 Active now Free

[bradnic]

No vise no workey. Torch, vise, big ass pipe wrench, PB blaster. Plus a BFH or large pipe to go over the pipe wrench handle for leverage. A good vise mounted somewhere sturdy is absolutely critical.