Going to be replacing the front struts most likely tomorrow. I see the top nut req. about 50ft/lb. From changing regular shocks I know the piston rod turns easily and can tell from looking at the new strut.

How are you guys holding it still and be able to get a torque wrench on it? There is a sticker right on the strut saying 'any tool marks on polished rod and warranty is void' in so many words.

Just curious.

 

First once the hat bolt is put the piston will spin. To prevent it from spinning, stick a crowbar across 2 of the 3 hat bolts, placing one end of it between ur legs, while standing one hand ensures the crowbar is nicely in between 2 of the 3 hat botls, while the other hand is tightening the hat bolt.

 

I guess I'm having a bit of trouble visualizing here.. The 3 studs that stick up and have nuts that go on them, securing the upper part of the strut.. then there is a larger nut for the strut piston itself.. That larger nut is the one that is the problem.

I'm lost...

 

With the springs compressed, it will be quite easy to run thro 2/3 turns on the main piston bolt. Once that is done it gets tough w/o something to keep the piston from spinning.. I used a crowbar for that part, it has been sometime since I did my struts, but a crow bar and some imagination will do the trick. Good luck.

 

oh are you talking about removing the nut? I have an air wrench to make short work of removing the nut..

 

Impact gun ftw, if that doesn't do it sometimes you have to wrap rags around visegrips and do it as high up on the piston as possible.

 

when i was trying to take out my GR2's, the driver side was no problem, but the pass side kept spinning (i don't have an impact gun ) I was running out of daylight so I ended up pointing the assembly away from me and taking a hacksaw to the shaft while the compressors held the spring

But as has already been suggested, you can try rags + vise grips. If the rags don't work, you can try a cut piece of clean garden hose - wrap some around the shaft and grab it with the vise grips.

 

Try to take it to a shop and ask them nicely to use the air tools to take it off.

 

I've been shooting the rusted nut on the current struts with liquid wrench type stuff so hopefully the removal will go ok.

 

I found plier covers like these work great. Sears sells em for both regular and RoboGrips.

 

See, I have air tools.. I'm not concerned with getting the old nut off, when I install the NEW strut and rod nut, about holding it while tightening.

 

If you have an old piece of garden hose laying around,you could do this....

 

The strut mounting hole is "D" shaped as well as top rod of the shock, this will prevent it from spinning, unless you'll apply to much torque and damage the threads (ask how do I know ) If it happens, use the advices from above, just grip it as high as possible. I had to pull the boot down and gripped it where a bump sits.

 

I use vice grips...

 

ahh I see .. I just checked the struts sitting in the boxes and see the rod is indeed D-shaped. That hopefully will solve the question I have about installing the new ones. I hope that the dealer gets the new strut bearings and upper spring perch rubber seats in today so I can start trying to put them on tonight.

thanks!

 

use an impact