So ive got my subframe out.
Ive wound the spring compressor into the thread of the donut enough to grab solidly.
I start to wind the other handle to provide pressure against the top of the subframe tower.
When I wind this it becomes incredibly hard.
When I wind the top handle the cone rises.
I wind until the bottom of the cone rises out of the knuckle.

Am i supposed to be able to pull the cone out now?
It wont budge, solid.
Tried levering.

Twice Ive resorted to just pulling the compressor out again.

_________________
Tim

So you are trying to remove the strut (cone) from the donut yes?

It is most likely corroded itself to the point it is now thoroughly stuck in the donut and will require some serious persuasion to remove it.

If you have the subframe out of a car it would probably be easiest to remove the upper control arm, then the strut will drop lower and you can chisel it apart from the donut easier (air chisels work great). Then you can also remove the donut easily as it's probably cactus as well.

I dislike the idea of trying to separate the strut from the donut whilst it is being compressed, as the threads in the donut probably aren't very good which may be an accident waiting to happen

Remove the Top Arms

Remove the Cone Compressor tool

Put a 1/4" steel rod through the rubber donut centre hole & hit with BFH

The cone will be rotten & unusable anyway so bang away

Had to do this when we put HiLo's in...hint...put copper grease between cone & donut when refitting.

_________________
1974 1150cc Leyland Mini S racer,
1975 No motor Leyland Mini "ute"
1991 IPRA Honda Integra (in the build)
1995 Land Rover Discovery 300Tdi

CAMS Scrutineer

I agree, top arm out.

Those old cast alloy cones get stuck really good, i've had to smash one entierly out for Jimmyinamini.

As Jeff said, copper grease on assembly is well worth it, and make sure whatever you put back, cone or hi-lo, has a drain hole for any water that gets inside it.

_________________
Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

Cheers guys.
I'm not going to hesitate to force them out.
Brand new donuts and hilos going in.

_________________
Tim