Not plastic and, although LR state it has very strong thread lock, mine had just a smear. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

yea he had a photo and in the next post he said it wasn't plastic - would heat help - blow torch or heatgun? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

Mine came off with the help of a plumbers type grips and an impact gun.

On a side note having a right of a job maintaining a seal at the bottom of these aerosus airbags, going to fit new oversized o rings soon to try and sort it, if that doesn't work then they'll be going back to deutchland for a refund

@Dan

I haven't got an update but I believe he used some type of Stilson.

It won't help you but I ordered a strut for the otherside. I got Arnott and on opening the box today the vibration damper is already fitted to it! John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Well it wasn't the seat at the bottom that was the real issue but one of the bags is going to be refunded, I got lucky in one respect that the old bag was ok and I was just changing the pair, otherwise I would be without transport

Click image to enlarge

Still not got the top damper weights off - could I use an angle grinder take the three studs off then slowly work around the silver bit until it’s off with the weight then cut a slot to open it up then put on new setup? Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

Yes it's much easier if you cut of the studs on the old leg BUT I definitely wouldn't damage the silver part as you need it to go on the new strut to hold the vibration damper. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I drilled a 6mm hole through the casing of the cup that holds the damper and knocked the casing round with a cold chisel, used a 14mm allen key braced against the bulkhead (all with the strut in situ)

Once you break the bond of the sealant it should just spin off, I just put them back without sealing and hand tight tbh, probably wouldn't even notice anything untoward if they weren't put back imo.

Weegie wrote:

Yes it's much easier if you cut of the studs on the old leg BUT I definitely wouldn't damage the silver part as you need it to go on the new strut to hold the vibration damper.

If they have that would be fine but you need to be careful not to damage the thread on the damper. If you cut off the studs you might find it is easier to grip the unit.

PS. I looked at your photos again and you do appear to have the cup. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Just had the ‘joy’ of doing this job today (removal of the 0.8kg damper masses to transfer over to new front struts). They were complete by££ers to remove, I ended up cutting the top studs off and holding the strut in a vice. I then ground down an old Stilson wrench so the jaws were narrow enough to hold the silver collar whilst breaking the thread locked threads free with a long 1/2” ratchet, after heating for 60 seconds with MAPP gas. But better than paying £115 a pop for new ones:

Click image to enlarge