740 strut tube disassembly - please help!

newtovolvo · 2005-08-07T02:19:15+00:00

I am working on my 740, a sedan, 1990. I have the strut out, the spring off, and want to get the old strut parts out to put in a new insert.The so called "nut" on the top of the tube is simply not coming off for me.I am following the directions on brickboard,com which have beenrather helpful so far. I found the slip joint pliers to not work for me.I tried the pipe wrench approach and have got no progress. A hammer and a punch, not able to move it. Used penitrating oil with no success. I don't have oxy-acetlene, but I have tried a propane torch to heat it up some, and have not made it work with that either. I looked at the base and do not see anything that resembles a snap ring to try to get it out from the bottom asdirections on brickboard suggest is possible. The tube appears to be a press fit in to the casting at the bottom where the caliper, ball joint, tie rod all attach, can anyone confirm that it is pressed in place?My remaining concern is to not get so physical with the tube to the point that it changes shape and becomes not useable. the nut is not exactly in it's original shape anymore, since the insert came with a new nut, I only care enough about the old nut to get it off. Don't know why it is called a nut, it has threads on the outside!I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been there and how you did it.Thanks so much for any help.(naturally I expected this to go a little more smoothly than it has and my primary transportaion is a bit tied up right now.)