Re: Door struts and Gasoline

["jtrealtywebspannet" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

Replacing the struts can be easy in most cases. The hardest part is 
usually dealing with the little clip. BUT last year in Richmond I 
helped the group (including Rob Grady) to replace a strut on a 
member's car. It was the lower joint on the driver's side door. It 
just wouldn't let go! We tried everything breaking the strut off of 
the lower socket in the process. The socket refused to come off of the 
pin. We finally used a vise grip and a hammer and were careful not to 
hurt the stainless. On some cars that I have changed struts on I had 
to wack them off with a short piece of 2x4. You must be careful as 
even the simplist job can turn into a nightmare. This is not to scare 
anyone but to just make aware the dangers. REMEMBER YOU MUST SUPPORT 
THE DOOR WHEN REMOVING THE STRUT. Use a short piece of broomstick or 
2x4 and do not go from the floor to the door, go from the sill plate 
of the car to the door. It is less likely you will accidently kick the 
support out and if the car should move the support won't come out 
either. In installing the struts a SMALL amount of grease on the 
joints will help in removing them in the future and keep them from 
squeaking. On the subject of gasoline, never "top off" the car. If you 
do you will always notice a fuel smell till you use up some of the gas 
and with most automatic gas nozzles it is pretty near the top anyway. 
Take extra effort not to spill any as if it gets on the carpet the 
smell will linger even longer. I try not to let attendants fill my car 
as they are usually sloppy. It doesn't matter on most cars but on the 
Delorean IT MATTERS. Make sure the filler cap is on correctly.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Les Huckins <jhuckins@xxxx> wrote:
> I think the only thing easier than replacing door struts is putting 
in
> gasoline. If you're really awkward, maybe 10 minutes. No mystique
> other than holding the door open while you do it. I use a tip from
> Darryl (see his write-up in the tech section for removing door 
panels),
> one of those adjustable truck cargo bars from Harbor Freight. Open 
the