Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

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heryrg
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My tercel:: 1983 SR5
Location: Monument CO

Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by heryrg »

Hey guys, so i'm in the midst of replacing strut inserts. I didn't read enough about it and thought that i can just pop new inserts in.
But it seems that i cannot just take out the strut inserts.
I want to make sure i understand what to do to replace them.

1. Drill an opening on the bottom to access the retaining nut on the bottom of the cartridge, is this correct?
2. Replace with strut assembly from 1987 sr5 which has the replaceable cartridge struts, i think. Are the struts from '87 a direct fit for '83?
takza
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Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by takza »

Some of the earliest T4WDs had front struts without replacable cartridges. Probably need to just find a set of struts from a later model?

Check here for cross references?

http://www.car-part.com/

Look up struts for the car and see what other years are listed?
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heryrg
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Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:12 pm
My tercel:: 1983 SR5
Location: Monument CO

Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by heryrg »

I'm going to the junk yard today to pull struts off '87 SR5, which i believe have replaceable cartridges, from what i read.
I just wanted to know if they're the same.

I checked the site. I gives me all the models from '83 to '87, so i think it'll work.
Highlander
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Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by Highlander »

I've replaced the inserts in '83s before, and I have a very early '83 SR5. You need to pull the top Bearing after compressing the spring, then remove that really large nut form the top of the strut tube. Then you can pull the insert out. The '83s I've done all still had the factory oil and piston system. you pull that out, drain the oil, clean it out, and replace the oil/piston system with the sealed insert. Replace the big nut with the one provided and reassembly is reverse of disassembly as they say. The hardest thing is not losing the spring while its compressed, those things always scare me, and rightfully so.
I'm not sure what you mean about drilling a hole at the bottom of the strut,I wouldn't compromise the strut tube whatsoever.
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heryrg
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Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:12 pm
My tercel:: 1983 SR5
Location: Monument CO

Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by heryrg »

I've tried pulling it out, but it doesn't budge. I also tried to put only the cap on the strut w/o spring and screw it with the screw then bang it out but no success. I thought there was something holding the insert on the bottom.

Anyway, i just got a pair of struts from '87 and will try those.
Thanks
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Petros
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Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by Petros »

once you unscrew the large collar on the top of the strut tube the shaft, piston, and inner tube should pull out. Might be corrosion holding it in, but the only thing holding it is the collar threaded into the top of the outer strut tube.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
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heryrg
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Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:12 pm
My tercel:: 1983 SR5
Location: Monument CO

Re: Replacing front strut cartridges '83 SR5

Post by heryrg »

Yea it was rusty and very stuck. I got new struts today from '87, came home tried to pull the cartridge again and came out, figures. I think maybe all the PB blaster overnight released it.
Anyways, i pulled old cartridges from 87 ones, they were KYB gas filled, pretty good stock ones i guess. Inserted new GR2's and now it's all good, i think, will go on a test drive in a bit :D

Thanks guys.
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