[John Henry]

Hi Has anyone put KYB 363008 units in a capella? I have got some here from a (country) auto parts shop and I can't see how to get them into the struts.
KYB list them as replacements but they are cartridges, not complete struts with stub axle etc.
Are they actually the wrong part or is there a trick?
John Y

[chief tool]

I cant say from a Capella perspective, but I have had other cars where replacement units are strut inserts.

You take the strut out cut around the top with a hacksaw, pull out the internals and drain the oil (be careful if the old struts are gas, drill a really small hole to release the gas first). Then drill a hole in the bottom of the old strut.
Slide the strut insert into the old strut, the stud at the bottom should come through the hole thats been drilled, then put the nut on the end and re install.

I usually put a bit of silcone around the top of the old strut to stop any moisture getting down from the top and sitting in the tube, over a long time it might cause rust.

This post has been edited by chief tool: 28 January 2012 - 09:04 AM

[timmy201]

I did mine today on my 323 - it's about the same age
Undid the gland nut at the top with a set of stillsons and the cartridge came out.. Although mine had been swapped to sealed units already

[chief tool]

Ahh yeah, I was assuming the struts were sealed units, if theyre the type that have inserts in them already ^ see above

[John Henry]

Thanks all. I'll have a closer look at the strut when I have a chance to get it off the car again.
Hope I don't have to find a special service tool to undo the original cap, as shown in the service manual.

John H