Please help with my suspension

[Dissembler]

I'm in the process of rebuilding every aspect of my suspension. But I've run into a couple issue that I need some help with

1. On one of my struts, the collar the holds the shock cartridge in place is real bad shape (which ive since made worse). I've tried large channel locks and hitting the tab with a hammer and chisel, I'm hesitant to apply heat to it since it is a shock, but since its not gas charged it should be okay, no? Anyone know how I can get that collar off?



2. There is 3/4 of an inch between my spring and the upper perch. The shocks are Bilstein Sports, the springs are IE 3s, mounts are factory. I know I can't section the shock housing as the shock is the factory length. Is it okay to simply compress the shock when I put the car on wheels for the first time? Conversely, because the car will need to pass safety, is there anything I can do to take up the slack? Like getting helper springs or something?



3. On my rear subframe, when I unbolted it, it literally slid right off, no problems, I was absolutely ecstatic. But now I see nothing comes that easy :( It appears the top most bit of the subframe mount is stuck inside the frame rails. Is there any easy way to get that out? One thing I was thinking is if I just ground it flat and then cut the excess aluminum off the top of my new subframe bushings



Thanks for your help guys!

[jlevie]

Soak the collar nut with PBlaster or Kroil for several days. Then try a large pipe wrench. If it still won't come off, use an oxy-acetelyne torch to heat the nut to a dull red and use the pipe wrench.

IE Stage 3 or H& Race springs won't take up all the space when the strut is unloaded. As soon as the weight of the car is on the strut that space will vanish. Perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.

You'll need to use a subframe bushing press set to get the remains of the bushing out.

[Philo]

Jlevie is on top of things with his post.

The only thing I could add is to stick the strut housing in a table vice, and get a VERY large set of channel locks or a pipe wrench. I've also simply taken the housing to a local shop, and they do it no problem. Usually won't even charge for something like that.

[Gnarles]

Heat is your friend when getting that collar nut off.

For the subframe bushing, you can pound that bolt up into the passenger compartment with a BFH to help with getting the rest of that metal sleeve out of your car.

[Dissembler]

Cool, thanks for the input, I got the collar off the shock, now i just gotta find time to get the rest of the old bushing out