After 130k miles on the original OEM struts, I replaced all of them with KYB Exel-G units.
1yr later the upper strut mount on the driver side is making lots of noise and I decide to install a replacement mount.
I removed the strut and compressed the spring. To remove the nut on the upper mount, there is a hex key in the shaft to prevent it from turning while removing the nut. I used a hex drive socket and an offset box wrench to try and remove the nut. I had to apply so much torque that the hex key stripped completely. The nut did not budge. Easily over 100lbs of torque.
I then tried holding the upper portion of the shaft with locking pliers and used an impact gun. I was able to unthread about halfway, but that was all I could manage. There was no way to keep the shaft from spinning. A pipe wrench couldn't grab it either.
I noticed the nut was a nylon locknut. Not sure if the OEM mount nuts have nylon. The workshop manual only lists 47 ft/lbs of torque for these. The KYBs were torqued way beyond that. Really poor design.
1yr later the upper strut mount on the driver side is making lots of noise and I decide to install a replacement mount.
I removed the strut and compressed the spring. To remove the nut on the upper mount, there is a hex key in the shaft to prevent it from turning while removing the nut. I used a hex drive socket and an offset box wrench to try and remove the nut. I had to apply so much torque that the hex key stripped completely. The nut did not budge. Easily over 100lbs of torque.
I then tried holding the upper portion of the shaft with locking pliers and used an impact gun. I was able to unthread about halfway, but that was all I could manage. There was no way to keep the shaft from spinning. A pipe wrench couldn't grab it either.
I noticed the nut was a nylon locknut. Not sure if the OEM mount nuts have nylon. The workshop manual only lists 47 ft/lbs of torque for these. The KYBs were torqued way beyond that. Really poor design.
