Help! Replacement of rear air springs - top of old one won't come out

I've researched the replacement of the rear air springs on my 1999 P38, looked at the various threads (thanks to all for the info) and have spent all afternoon on the n/s. I suspect the springs are original but the top and bottom pins came out OK - after a bit of a struggle. The collett wouldn't budge, so I cut the line.

The base of the old spring then came out straight away but I've just spent well over an an hour trying to move the top. It just won't move (some threads say it'll come free after "a bit of a wiggle"). I've pulled it in all directions, tried a chisel via the wheel arch and a crowbar from underneath (difficult to get a purchase on anything). I've now flooded the top of it with WD40 and, as the light's starting to go, I've called it a day until tomorrow.

I'll start again tomorrow morning but, in the meantime, has anyone any ideas? It's not some sort of twist fit is it? It doesn't look like it from the photos and the replacement parts look as if they just rest on the upper plate.

Thanks in advance for all advice,

- Tom
(Essex)

No it's not a twist fit, in fact the piece that the pin goes through is D shaped to ensure it can't turn. Is the top an alloy one or plastic? If it's plastic, just chisel it away. Alloy is a bigger problem.

Just use a bigger 'ammer!!































:nothingtoadd:

Datatek said:

No it's not a twist fit, in fact the piece that the pin goes through is D shaped to ensure it can't turn. Is the top an alloy one or plastic? If it's plastic, just chisel it away. Alloy is a bigger problem.

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Hi.

Thanks for that. It's difficult to tell if it's alloy or not at the moment, but it's certainly stuck tight. I'll cut the air bag away tomorrow morning and get a chisel onto it as well. If it is alloy, what's the best course of action?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/air-springs-replaced-ha-ha-ha-74526.html

Have a look at this saga..I had the same problem as yourself a couple of years ago. I take it you also have the die cast aluminium end caps. If yu don't have access to an air powered saw, get yourself a handle from your local DIY shop..the type that holds a hacksaw blade, together with a couple of 14 t.p.i. hacksaw blades. The caps are quite soft, will probably take around half an hour to cut through them. Use either oil or WD40 as a blade lubricant.
Good luck..you will get there!!

Irishrover said:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/air-springs-replaced-ha-ha-ha-74526.html

Have a look at this saga..I had the same problem as yourself a couple of years ago. I take it you also have the die cast aluminium end caps. If yu don't have access to an air powered saw, get yourself a handle from your local DIY shop..the type that holds a hacksaw blade, together with a couple of 14 t.p.i. hacksaw blades. The caps are quite soft, will probably take around half an hour to cut through them. Use either oil or WD40 as a blade lubricant.
Good luck..you will get there!!

Click to expand...

Hi,

Thanks for the advice and ecouragement - it's much apreciated. I did manage to get the job done today and the car's back on the road. The top mounts were solid but I just needed a decent pry bar and a lot more welly than I'd been giving it yesterday.

- Tom.