Ammi

iTrader: (26)

I removed both rear struts. I'm trying to losen the top hat bolt a little. One side I can't even losen it. The other side, I losened it but after compressing the springs, top hat bolt keeps turning w/out coming out. Bolt is turning the strut cylinder. I tried to tighten it back up again but still turns the strut cylinder. I can't losen the bolt and I can't tighten the bolt. Any ideas what I should do?

MaximaSe2002

the bolt should have a flat spot on it you need to use 2 wrenches to get these loose

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

Someone mentioned you can loosen it a little while it's still inside the car to make it easier to loosen later...

Can someone post a pic of somebody doing this?
I want to see what kind of wrench(es) I need, and how to arrange them... I will be doing my own struts soon as well (for the first time, at least with planned success), and the Tokico Illuminas come with a piece of paper urging you not to use an Impact Wrench.

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

Also, while tightening... do you use the same strategy (2 wrenches), and while doing this is it even possible to use a torque wrench?

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

use 2 wrenches on the bolt?

KCMichaelM

The the bolt should have a flat where one wrench goes, the other on the nut. And that's a wrench, not a socket.

spirilis

iTrader: (2)

So we're talking about one long crescent/adjustable wrench (for the flat), and one long curved box-end wrench?
What's the point of the manufacturers putting torque specifications on the tightening of that nut if you can't even use a torque wrench on it?

So another quick Q, for the front and rears what are the sizes of that nut? (gotta buy some Craftsman box-ends for the job...)
I assume the nuts differ in size, based on the differing diameter of the front vs. rear Tokico Illumina struts' piston rod...

housecor

iTrader: (2)

Ammi - Uncompress the spring and turn the top hat bolt a little more. The spring pressure will keep the strut cylinder from spinning. Be sure to only loosen it a little more though - You dont want the spring flying off! Then recompress the spring and you should be able to remove the bolt.

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

tried that. Cylinder kept spinning w/ the bolt. I just kept turning and I guess the bolt caght something and it came lose. What a pain in the a$$ it was for the rears.