Tokico Illumina front strut installation trouble
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XiOus271Senior Member
- 362
Tokico Illumina front strut installation trouble
On my 86T, I am just getting around to installing my Illumina front struts. The passenger side cartridge went in quite easily, I did not really have much trouble with that. However, I was doing the drivers side today and that damn thing has about 1/8" to go before the gland packing can reach the threaded section. For fear of causing some damage, I have held off on trying anything else. What have you guys done when installing these? I looked at my FSM, spent some time on Google, but I would like to hear from some of you as to how you did it. I realize it is something as simple as getting it down the tube, but I don't like taking chances on screwing suspension/brake components. Thanks.1986 300ZX Turbo - Sold
1991 Toyota MR2 - RIP
2007 BMW 335i - Daily driver -
NissanEggSenior Member
- 5220
Did you drain all the old fluid out of the tube first?
1986 300ZX Turbo…sold
1990 Skyline GT-R…new money pit
2014 Juke Nismo RS 6-speed…daily -
XiOus271Senior Member
- 362
Yes I did. I followed the procedures outlined in the FSM.1986 300ZX Turbo - Sold
1991 Toyota MR2 - RIP
2007 BMW 335i - Daily driver -
XiOus271Senior Member
- 362
Based on what I am reading and seeing, these should not have to be forced into place. Is this correct?1986 300ZX Turbo - Sold
1991 Toyota MR2 - RIP
2007 BMW 335i - Daily driver -
vagabondSenior Member
- 3455
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Domdogg123Senior Member
- 491
Make sure the O-ring isn't gumming up you sliding it down.It may not be a Z, but it's still got a turbo… -
TearingRavenSenior Member
- 2572
I would get in there with a flash light and made sure there is no debris lodged down in the bottom. Also, make absolutely sure that the tube is not dented.
1985 Nissan 300ZX 2+2- My first Z, back in the family
1987 Nissan 300ZX Turbo RIP 4/87 - 4/28/2011
Under Construction: 1986 Nissan 300ZX NA2T Slicktop
Originally posted by TempestasWell, one of the t-tops wasn't latched real well… God only knows where that t-top flew off to at 150+ mph. Didn't scratch the car or anything, just a boom and it was gone. I sure as hell didn't stop to see where it went. I didn't see any stories on the news… so that's a plus. -
XiOus271Senior Member
- 362
Update: I took the strut housing and cleaned the hell out of it. The cartridge went in much easier and I managed to everything put together. However, if I ever need to take it out, it seems like that won't be a very fun job as the last little bit was still pretty tight. I decided simply cleaning it when I took the old one out wasn't enough, it needed a damn good scrubbing and it worked from there. Thank you all for your input.1986 300ZX Turbo - Sold
1991 Toyota MR2 - RIP
2007 BMW 335i - Daily driver -
GregmaticSenior Member
- 2193
sometimes the cartridge needs to be sanded just a bit. Removal is easier than you think. Just thread the top nut over a large washer and hang that in a vice. Tap gently on the spindle portion of the housing (or on the caliper mounting ear) and it will usually slide right off. Apply a bit of heat/penetrant as needed if needed. This will also keep the shaft from getting damaged -
XiOus271Senior Member
- 362
Gregmatic wrote: sometimes the cartridge needs to be sanded just a bit. Removal is easier than you think. Just thread the top nut over a large washer and hang that in a vice. Tap gently on the spindle portion of the housing (or on the caliper mounting ear) and it will usually slide right off. Apply a bit of heat/penetrant as needed if needed. This will also keep the shaft from getting damaged1986 300ZX Turbo - Sold
1991 Toyota MR2 - RIP
2007 BMW 335i - Daily driver -
K_ScheeringaSenior Member
- 196
Another thought is to apply a little anti-seize on the tube before sliding it in..
Not too much to cause trouble, but something to keep things from sticking together..
These are good tips, as I also have a set of illumina's waiting to go into a set of turbo tubes..Kevin
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1986 NA 5sp - Bone stock, but in good shape