Suspension Strut Disposal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire and 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Use the proper eye protection when drilling to prevent metal chips from causing physical injury.
- Clamp the strut in a vise horizontally with the rod (1) completely extended. See Fig 1. Drill a hole in the strut at the center of the end cap (3) using a 5 mm (3/16 in) drill bit. Gas or a gas/oil mixture will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the strut. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
- Remove the strut from the vise. Hold the strut over a drain pan vertically with the hole down. Move the rod (1) in and out of the tube (2) to completely drain the oil from the strut. See Fig 1.