Rear struts

[Barney Eaton]

Just heard from a Reatta owner trying to change the rear struts. He was having problems finding a socket or Torx to fit into the top of the strut to hold it, it seemed the hole was small and nothing fit.

He called back later telling me that there was a rubber/plastic plug in the hole to protect it from the elements...... has anyone else seen this?

[sahein]

Yes there is a plastic cover inserted into the top of the struts.

[BP]

Yes indeed - small plastic plug in the top of the strut (i presume to keep dirt out) I used a small sheet metal screw and threaded it into the plastic cap then pulled it out with pliers. TORX size for strut top is 50 I think.

I ended up wrapping the shaft with a piece of duct tape and then a piece of leather to prevent damaging the strut shaft while i vise-gripped it in place to remove the top nut.

[Guest EDBS0]

Yes common.

When I replaced mine I used a pipe wrench. (will not work if you want to put the same part in again)

[Guest]

When I replaced mine the right hand side came off relatively easy with the right torx bit. But when I did the left hand side the bit stripped out. I ended up using a small side grinder to grind off the large nut on the end of the rod.

[Shelby]

Use a high quality Torx Bit. and lots of penetrating oil.