Removing Ground Control collars

[RamenPride]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove a Ground Control collar off of the shock? My rear AGX's blew (again) and I bought some Illuminas as replacements, but I can't get the collar off of the old shocks. What I've done so far is suspend the whole thing by the adjusting collar inside a Workmate work bench, slip a short pipe over the rod (which is compressed all the way) and smack the hell out of it with a hammer. However, the thing hasn't even moved 1 mm. I even put antiseize on the inside of the collar when I first installed them about 2 years ago after a previous experience with blown AGX's and sleeve coilovers, thinking this would make it easier to remove them.... I guess I kind of anticipated the AGX's blowing again, and I'm an idiot for even buying them in the first place....

 

[ACM]

Spray the underside with ZQ/PB and leave to soak. Next day flip the shock back over so it's right-side-up, bring the vice jaws together but don't touch the shock body, so that the GC sleeve is resting on the vice jaws.

You did say they were blown, right ?

Gently compress the damper rod down until it bottoms in the damper body, pick up the largest lump hammer you have to hand and have at it on the end of the damper rod.

When it finally comes off you will note that none of the GC parts transfer to the Illumina,...

Charles

 

[FORMONTOYA]

When it finally comes off you will note that none of the GC parts transfer to the Illumina,...

Charles

That's more than likely true as I know that when I got my GC setup on the Illuminas that GC was specific as to which dampers (shocks) I had because of different collar diameters that are needed for different dampers.

Before you go to any more effort than what's required, give CG a call to verify you're not just wasting a bunch of time and effort removing the collars off the current setup.

 

[RamenPride]

The GC collars have a cut out at the bottom that fits on the spring perch. The instructions for the rears that came with them state for KYB/Tokico.

 

[jtmcinder]

When it finally comes off you will note that none of the GC parts transfer to the Illumina,...

Are you sure about this? My understanding is that a GC 2.5" sleeve is a GC 2.5" sleeve. What depends on the shock is the black ring inside.

- Jtoby

 

[RamenPride]

Well, I got them off. I took a hacksaw and cut off the rod and then used a 3-jaw puller. Came off pretty easily. Doesn't matter now because I decided to just go with lowering springs instead. I always had plans to get back into autocrossing, but those never materialized, so I went with a nice soft ride for my daily driver.

 

[suicidal2af]

Are you sure about this? My understanding is that a GC 2.5" sleeve is a GC 2.5" sleeve. What depends on the shock is the black ring inside.

- Jtoby

And a few ancillary parts that go on the top of the spring, but yes.