Another good one - keep them coming!
BTW there is no need to disconnect the brake pipes. The first car I dismantled the struts from had slots in the securing lugs on the strut. When the locking clip is released the brake union will disengage from the hexagonal hole to a point where the pipe will slide out through the slot.
Then the whole assembly can be wound out, leaving the brakes intact and the caliper supported on a stand.
Other struts I have found without the slots, but it is easy to cut them.
Someone on Brickboard.com even did the entire job under the wing, lowering but not removing the strut, and decompressing in situ.
If you cannot loosen the top nut on the car, or you have some spare assemblies already assembled with the nuts tight, the easiest way of undoing it is upended with the flats held in a vice, and a ring spanner on the nut.
Mike is indeed to be congratulated for bringing us all his vast experience and especially these illustrated articles. Absurd to think he was once going to be banned from this forum for being commercial!
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