Stuck lower strut mount.
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I am at a loss. I should have no problem getting this damn thing off, but my drivers side lower strut mount will not budge. I have gone through two pitman arm pullers, tried a pickle fork, put the torch to it, and beat the hell out of it with a hammer. Yes, I have PB blastered it. I've had this assembly off three times in the past year and it was effortless every time. Does anybody have any suggestions before I drive to the shop and have them pop it off and attach it firmly enough to drive a mile home before I take it off again?
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MrSmithsTB - Veteran
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Mine refused to budge until I unbolted the the upper control arm from the ball joint and got it out of the way. Then I could get a good full swing at the lower mount with a 4lb sledge. 4th whack it came off.
Swearing helps.
Swearing helps.
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fishsticks - Moderator
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UCA was unbolted, and I think I used every word in the dictionary...twice! Maybe I need a bigger hammer.
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MrSmithsTB - Veteran
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MrSmithsTB wrote:UCA was unbolted, and I think I used every word in the dictionary...twice! Maybe I need a bigger hammer.
As funny as it sounds... you probably do. If you aren't using a sledge to beat on it then you're wasting time and effort. The extra weight helps.
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fishsticks - Moderator
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Proper application of factory bottle jack can also help... try that.
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Philberto - Lifer
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Sorry... what is this "proper application" of the bottle jack you speak of? 
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Trail X - Founder
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Sorry, by utilizing the bottle jack against the lower part of the strut assembly, you should be able to jack horizontally until the lower assembly just pops off. I vastly prefer a gradual application of force to shock via a sledge in these cases. Will look to try and remember how I did it, but if you can't get jack on the lower ass'y, you can always use the jack to exert force on the pickle fork or for any number of other techniques. Be creative, be safe, and wear eye protection!
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Philberto - Lifer
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I like the jack idea. I think I might give that a shot before I go out and get a sledge. I don't know why I didn't think of that either. Sometimes another perspective is all you need.
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MrSmithsTB - Veteran
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Or some help from others Bob. I would have helped. I understand though 
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Mooseknuckle wrote:Or some help from others Bob. I would have helped. I understand though
I would have loved the help. It was all about the time constraints, Jeff. It was supposed to be a quicky job on Friday night, but that wasn't the case.
Looks like I really did just need a bigger hammer.
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MrSmithsTB - Veteran
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