When I got my 144 recently it was missing one trunk strut and the other was shot. A member helped me out with a replacement set. There is a part that threads onto the end of the strut. It is part number 675990. It is forked shaped. The replacement I got had this part but half of each of the forks was broken off. He included them just to protect the threads.

I was to transfer that part from my one original strut. Since my other original strut was missing I need another one of those forked parts. If anyone might have a source for such a part can you contact me?

Craig

You will have found that the spring in these is very strong which means that it is easier to compress them and hold them compressed, with a piece of plastic coated wire, to just the right length so that one end engages and the other just fits in the right place. I found that by releasing the wire and also ensuring that the end not engaged was kept in the right place at the same time it sprang into place.
Hope this makes sense - maybe there is an easier way?
TimC

One way to compress them before taking them out is to get in the trunk with
a flashlight (DON'T use a Coleman Lantern!!) and wire them shut with heavy
baling wire or coathanger wire. This does take some baling wire skill,
fairly strong hands and good pliers. Then you need someone to open the
trunk and let you out.
(This is a job you could not do in the trunks of most cars nowadays!)

If I thought I would ever have to do this again I would make a compressor tool.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

The Volvo tool is a metal bracket with a slot at each end. It is slightly longer than the compressed strut with slotted ends bent 90 degrees. You just slide it over the compressed strut. I have not seen one in real life, but have a picture somewhere. Should be easy to make. On the bench you use a vice grip to compress the strut to fit into the bracket.

Or maybe a vise. My vise grips only open about an inch.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Ah, me englis no good. Thanks George, my first language is Afrikaans.

164/242/244 struts are perfect for this - they're everywhere...and cheap!

I've got a parts car and can part with it if I manage to get it out. However I'm in New Zealand so there would be international shipping involved. Let me know if you are interested, I would have to empty the trunk first... Also need to know how to take it out without breaking it :-)

"Forked part" = a clevis?
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Thanks for the correct term.

Craig