Removing Boot and Bonnet Struts

Aristsnow · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: Removing Boot and Bonnet Struts

Okay... I'm sure someone out there has removed these to replace or get regassed, but I've looked and looked and cannot find any instructions on how this is to be accomplished! It may be that I can't see straight anymore due to the many whacks on the head everytime the boot falls on my head. Please... I know enough to loosen the connectors on the boot hinge but how are the other ends removed? Confused

...Anyone?
_________________

"...with great power comes great responsibility..."
'92 TT Aristo

Aristo · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

Boot struts. The shaft that goes into the boot lid has a head that will fit a spanner, use that to remove with boot fully upright.

Other end has a plastic retainer, from memory once you have bootlid end free, you can swing them down wiggle them out.

As for bonnet, I think its is the bolt at each end.

OSEAN · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:

I took my boot struts out recently,
undo the 12mm thin nut on the boot,
take the little white clip of the other end,
i found compressing the stut (if possible) makes for easy removal.

When replacing, pre compress with some soft wire/rope, then remove rope/cut wire.

redo 12mm nut.

balrog · JZS147 Rookie Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 60

hi,
i took my aristo to a strut specialist who attempted the EXACT procedure as mentioned above. BUT the nuts wouldn't move and were rounded off. the strut specialist told me they had never seen an aristo that had this setup before, and did not have any further suggestions.
ARE there ANY other ways to remove struts from our car's boots?
thankyou.

Rusty P · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject:

huh?

You just undo the one bolt.
Are you saying it was rounded off? Silly people not using wd40...
You'll need to vice-grip it or something to get it off then.
_________________

1994 Black JZS147 Aristo - RIP. Went swimming
New 1992 Aristo Project

Ant · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 7:58 pm Post subject:

I had both of mine done by a mobile guy that came to the dealership and it cost me IIRC about 95 bucks to get both bonnet struts overhauled.

Go to a local used car yard and ask for a referral.

balrog · JZS147 Rookie Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 60

would you believe that i went to the workshop of a company (based in osbourne park) who specialise only in strut re-gassing and replacements both generic and "oem" style. quoted $66.00 to remove and re-gas, but since they rounded both sides i've been told if i can remove them they'll do it for $44.00.
if i do remove them with vice-grips, i wonder if it'll be worth it to just order new ones from the U.S. or U.K., since i'll be able to do them up again?

Cerium · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

Bringing back an old thread... Balrog do you have the contact details for the strut rebuilding company in Osbourne Park?

NICK 05 · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:35 pm Post subject:

for those that are GOING to do this in the future......remember lads....THE JAPS....just love "lock tight"
on the front and rear strut mounts......!!!!! Nervous

you get ONE SHOT at them...make it count..!

Chappo · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:22 pm Post subject:

James123 · JZS147 Junior Joined: 11 Aug 2011 Posts: 166

I had a mobile guy come out and remove/regas the boot struts while I was at work, he didn't seem to have any trouble with it?

bonnet I ordered some brand new from a mob on ebay, that didn't have them listed for an Aristo, but knew what was needed, can't remember who though... struts still work :p

Cerium · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject:

My struts ended up being unrepairable, they've been grabbed with vice grips at some point which rooted the shaft... So got some new ones for $100 from the Gas Strut place in Guthrie St in Osborne park. Highly recommended, good guys and a good product. Now the bonnet lifts itself after the first 10cm.