Doing some suspension work.

Soaked all bolts on rear suspension, and the broke off with minimal effort (3 foot brake bard).

The center nut on the shock, I cannot get off. I had the shock assembly off the car, springs compressed and the nut just spins. I used visegrips to hold the piston, while I tried to turn the center nut. . . no good.

I thought I had made a mistake and forgot to loosen that nut before I took the shock off the car, so it could have the loaded suspension to help get the nut off. . . not so.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get that nut off? My impact wrench just spun the nut faster, on or off the car the center just spins and I cant get it to stay still while I try to brake the bolt free. Any suggestions would help. thanks.

 

there's a flat tab above the nut, on the piston, that you need to hold. vice grips or an actual vice, like i used...then just back the nut off like usual.

 

only thing i can tell you is to wedge the vice grips against one of the 2 bolts, put the strut laying sideways on the ground and maybe have someone step on the end to hold it in place and just muscle the nut off with a wrench. hope you get it man, i ran into the same thing and its annoying - just take your time and think straight. good luck

 

I look at the write up Ben had included with his rear shock mounts and I saw the answer.

The tool to use is a cresent wrench, the kinds that is completely flat. I just tried using that, at the top of the shock and its starting to give, going to compress it get this biitch off, and get the new shock on.

NCSU_Max: I wish I had some vice grips,I keep findind new tools in my garage but couldnt find a vice, and was close to going out and renting one or buying one but I just got the bolt to give.

Global threat: I was previous using a vice grip on the top portion but it wouldnt budge, Using this cresent wrench is doing the job, and I'm glad I was able to find one in my messy tool box.

 

I broke the nut loose while the whole assembly was still mounted in the car. Gives me more leverage/torque. But like you found out, crecent wrench or open wrench is the way to go. Good luck.
Jae

 

I had no problem. Just used pliers to hold the tip.

 

wouldn't using pliers or vice grips ruin the thread?
Jae

 

The Vice grip if not used at the tab at the top would ruin the thread, I was starting to see it happen. Of course this was the stock SE shocks and if no one planned on selling them, or maybe needing them to return to stock, it would be ok to ruin the thread in order to get the nut off.

the cresent wrench worked like a dream, I dont know know the vise grip didnt work, it was basically doing the same thing but oh well. rears are done (took a while) and fonts are just about done except for driver side.

 

mine is stuck on there now. i tried to change my springs and i could not get the backs off so i just lwft my speints on there. make sure when you install it yu do not tighten it alot of you will never get able to get it off. try an impact wrench

 

I just finished my AGX S-tech setup and I really only needed the impact wrench for the spring compressors.

my 3' break bar worked magic (with WD-40). The rears were a pain but once I used the cresent wrench, it was golden. Fronts were easy and went much faster than the rear. The impact wrench helped loosen the 3 bolts on top of the strut assembly (they were on good). Cars done, going to test out this setup and see how its feel.

And you have KSports now right You dont even have to worry about the center nut

 

Here's the pic from the shock mount instructions:

 

I used pliers and my thread was alright. I gues it is how carefull you are. Just be carefull and you should be ok.

 

hell yea i am looking for a better ride and be able to slam the *****.....i decided t get these one reaosn being that they came with mounts

 

i used vice grip on the piston. worked.

 

I was starting to with I had them when I was having trouble. I kept thinking, if I had coil overs I would just take out the old ones and put in the new ones, bolt up and done. Glad it didnt take too long to get everything taken apart.

I'm lovin these s-techs so far.

for the old se struts, I was going to, but I would need to for the new struts to get them on tight, and I didnt want to grip them and bend them or anything and kill them prematurely.