Help! - Can't get the top nut on my strut off.

[Jwurm12]

FYI:

Anyone going to install springs, break the top nut on the strut loose before you remove them from the car. If you do that one thing, you will be home free for the rest of the install.


Springs are on and the car looks great. So much less body roll, but still a lot to improve when I get coilovers and a few other suspension pieces.

 

[agr99]

If you decompress the spring it may help enough to get it off.or you could cut it off and go get another nut

 

[Jwurm12]

That was a good idea, but the top spins even with the spring decompressed.

No tools for that.

 

[agr99]

Do you have a socket wrench that fits the socket?

 

[Keno1542]

impact would be the tool for the job. Or you have to figure a way to hold the center strut shaft from spinning without marring up the surface.

 

[Keno1542]

Like using a strap wrench to hold the center shaft.

 

[agr99]

Thats what I was gonna say! You beat me to it.use your vise grips above the decompressed spring but below the top hat to stop the shaft from spinning use the socket wrench to take the nut off.when I did my struts it wasnt that hard.but tools are great and not everyone has them

 

[Jwurm12]

Got it, I cracked it loose on the car

 

[Jwurm12]

Do I need to worry about that?

 

[Keno1542]

Worried about what? Not sure what you are trying to point out?

 

[agr99]

That kinda looks bent?

 

[Jwurm12]

Success!!!! All done, will give it a wash and get some pictures up tomorrow.

 

[agr99]

Congratulations!

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Don't use a impact wrench on your strut anywhere if you can help it.. especially on the strut tower bolts. Use a box wrench (the enclosed wrench) and an allen wrench (or the allen wrench socket), of 5mm. Just lowered my car today, good luck.

 

[Rotaryknight]

I know this is an old post but I had a nice and easier way to take out the top hat nut on the strut.



Allen key (forgot the size) to hold the strut still and the socket to take the nut off held by lock wrenches. Proper tool would be a deep cutaway socket.

 

[DanR]

That looks pretty similar to when I did mine.

 

[eyeballs]

I just used a bike tube and vice grips to hold the shaft, and an impact to get the top nut. No problem.