chopstix

Ok peeps, need help. One of my coilovers is seized. (The lower portion going into the base) Overloaded it with WD40 for the last 3hrs and NO sucess. Ideas?? HELP!

06tl4life

Get a screw driver and put it on one of the little rivets and hit the other end of the screw driver with a hammer and it should loosen it. Good luck.

ebelp

^I think you're talking about hitting one of the rings, but he's talking about the threaded body that's seized on the lower collar. I'm having the same issue with mine. Haven't had a chance to break mine free. Waiting for warm weather.

OP, WD40 is not going to work, it's just a lubricant. You need something that will cut through the corrosion, like PB Blaster.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

+1 for PB Blaster. Worked great when too loosen up bolts when I did my suspension swap a few years back.

AccordFlex

iTrader: (1)

PB blaster is a must have for anyone who works on their own cars

ebelp

I love the way it makes your skin smell, three days after you used it lol

chopstix

Thanks all. Hopefully this will do the trick

Pghpizzaman

when u free them up lube all of your co's with anti sieze and it wont happen again. learned to use that the hard way.

had to use an air chisel to free my tiens on my cg5, they will never be the same lol

ebelp

^I would only use anti-seize on the threads that will actually have the collar/rings against them. Don't put anti-seize on the unused threads bc dirt will just stick to it like glue.

AcuraIntegTL

I ran into the same issue when I purchased a set of used Megan coilovers. Try spraying the PB Blaster on the top thread above the base and let it seep through into the base strut housing. Also, there should be a couple of holes exposing some of the threads that are in the base housing. Lay the coilover on it's side with one of the holes on top, and spray some of the PB Blaster in the hole, so the PB Blaster can seep into the threads too. Repeat the process for every hole. Took me three sessions and a lot of raw determination. Don't give up and good luck.

chopstix

Yeah my first attempt with PB was a fail. Strut went 2-0 against me. Unfortunately its still mounted on the car. Do you think the outside temp is playing a part? It's a warm 45 in MN. ( SUCKS AZZ ) I'll keep trying!

ATLS_666

is this only an issue with megans?

AcuraIntegTL

Yes, I was fortunate enough to have the coilovers uninstalled when I was servicing them. I'm not sure if the temp has anything to do with it, but I'm surprised that 45 degrees is considered warm in MN, way to cold for SoCal. Unless there's a hint of sarcasm I'm not picking up. Lol. BTW, is it a front or rear strut that's giving issue? I might have another idea that doesn't require you to take off your coilover.

Megans are my first experience with coilovers, so I'm not sure how other brands hold up. Also, need to consider the type of roads and weather the coilovers are exposed to. For me, I haven't had any issues since, however, I do clean the threads on my coilovers whenever I take my wheels off the TL. It's a good habit for any coilover.

ebelp

You'll be able to get more leverage on it if it's still mounted to the car vs. off the car. Try just unmounting the coilover assembly at the bottom by removing that bottom bolt, then try to put a screwdriver through the coilover where the bolt was and then turn the screwdriver to break it free. Not sure if there will be enough room under there to do that, but it's worth a shot.

AcuraIntegTL

+1 with this idea, but I'd like to add that you can use the locking rings to create more leverage too. Loosen two of the locking rings and lock them together a few threads above the base. Then use one of the wrenches to apply leverage in the opposite direction you need to turn the base to break it free. I hope my logic makes sense. Maybe ebelp can confirm my thoughts.

ebelp

Yes, in theory, this method could do the trick. However, prepare for some bloody knuckles. It's really hard to get a lot of leverage with the spanner wrenches without them slipping off the rings.

winkyyy

Is it the front or rear coilover that is affected?

If its the rear coilover, you can try uninstalling it from your car and place a metal rod through the hole that mounts the coilover on the bottom and twisting the metal rod, that way you can get more leverage.

I've had my megan coilovers for over 30K miles and the only problem I had was when I raised the height of my car, after being completely slammed in the rears and 1/4" from being slammed in the front, and now my coilovers squeak when going over small bumps on the road at slow speeds. It seems to be going away as the coilovers are beginning to resettle itself into its new position. Other than that its performs great.

ebelp

True, but having that leverage on the bottom half of the coilover doesn't do you any good if there's nothing to secure the top half. You'd have to put the tophat in a vice or something. Even then I don't know if you'd be able to break it free...the tophat is round, so I don't know how tight a vice would hold it without damaging it.

I've been referring to the rears...if it's one of the fronts then my idea doesn't really apply since there's no bottom bolt pass-through on the front coilover assemblies.

chopstix

Its the drivers rear one that is the pain in the azz. As for the weather, MN can suck sometimes. For us folks here that can have -20 degree days, 45 is considered warm. Sucks indeed! I'll keep trying at it. My arms and knuckles need a break

ebelp

Let us know if you end up breaking it loose and how you did it. FWIW, that's the same one that's seized on my car too.

chopstix

I will update on the progress. Just gotta get pass this snow storm and attempt it again

ebelp

Trying warming everything up with a heat gun before you start wrenching on it too...that will probably help some.

chopstix

That was going to be my last resort. Probably not the smartest thing with a heat gun, but a warm heat will help it I imagine.

~John also

ebelp

Just realized how awful my grammar was in that last post haha. I'm definitely going to heat up the lower collar of my coilover when I try to break it free. It can't hurt, just wear gloves. Plus it'll keep you warm in that frozen climate of yours lol.

Deerole

I doubt it. Had the same issue on my Tein SA when i tried to raise the car back up last Nov

chopstix

Yeah I think any coliover system will have this issue at some point in time. Patience I guess. BUT not going down 0-3 dammit

ebelp

Any luck with this?

chopstix

Tried again today and NO luck. SMH!

ebelp

Nooo! Time to bust out the blow torch!

chopstix

Man, rubber mallet, heat gun, PB. So frustating! All for another 1/2 inch drop. NOT going 0-4