ok, my front right suspension started making all sorts of noise and was acting goofy so I popped the hood and the top strut nut was completly loose. So I put a 17mm on it and it moved down a little, but will not tighten down. Also, the strut is moving all over the place (from side to side) when you turn the wheel. Im sitting at work so I cant get it up in the air and pull the wheel off to really see whats going on. Anyone have a clue?

 

seems like the stud may be stripped

 

thats what i was thinking, but i took a look at it and it didnt seem too chewed up. but its dark and I couldnt see real good. I'll have to take a better look at it tomorrow.

 

Maybe the strut is 100% blown.

 

If the top of the strut is moving all around, it is likely your strut mount is toast. Even with the top nut loose, the mount should keep the top in fixed position.

 

nissan calls the part the "strut insulator." Get one. it will stop your strut moving from side to side. $60 from the local dealer.

 

The notch that holds the strut piston from spinning in the mount while you turn the nut has probably worn out.

Put an impact gun on that nut at full power. That will spin the nut fast enough to thread it down just enough to grap the mount and snug everything up.

 

Yep hate to break it to ya, but naijai is correct, you're gonna rather have to stick to the same strut, or go purchase another, if not that, go to a mechanic, have him take off the nut, have the mechanic blow off the metal shavings with an air gun and re-bolt the strut. If that doesn't work, then you're gonna have to purchase a new strut.

 

Yeah true, if the nut's loose on the piston rod than it should only be able to move up and down, as if you're hitting bumps and all you hear is clunk!

 

Lift that side on a jack and it'll relieve some stress to the strut.Try to tighten from there.If that doesn't work then take off your strut and replace what is damaged.Easy to replace and stick back on.