Is there a trick to getting the circlip out of the grove? I followed the directions on bajataco's site and it says to depress the seal carrier, but it won't budge. I even tried placing a pcv pipe over the shaft and beating it with a hammer, but no luck.

pics attached.

thanks!

 

Did you try using a pick something like a dental instrument?

 

Yup. tried that.

I was reading elsewhere online and found that the nitrogen may have leaked into the oil (the seals are bad). If that's the case, I need a press to push down the seal carrier. I'm going to take it to a shop today and see what I can do.

 

Mine came out pretty easily. DId you try pushing down on the shaft while you picked on the clip?

You could use a cam buckle to compress the shock a little so your hands are free?

 

UGH... I actually sold mine because I couldn't get that thing out. I agree, I think the nitrogen has leaked into the oil seal and pressurized it.

From my reading it shouldn't be hard to push into the body, but, I used a vice, and everything I had for about a week and it wouldn't budge.

Definitely take it to a shop and see if they can do anything for you!

 

I can push in the piston, but it just comes back out. I've tried holding down the piston while I push on the carrier too. I think it's pressurized inside, so it's preventing me from doing anything else by hand.

The other side that I did came out easily as well. Those seals must've still been good.

 

I went to an auto shop this morning, and we pushed in the seal carrier with a press. I was able to get the circlip out and as we were releasing the press a bunch of nitrogen came out (confirming the nitrogen in oil compartment theory). Now to continue the rebuild.. :-)