[DefactoM6]

Hi everyone,

As you can see, I have my front struts apart to install the SPP lowering perches; I've been using the H&R spring install DIY to get me there thus far. (Click to see the DIY here) I'm at the part where the 19mm bolt that holds the hat, spring and strut together is removed...it was going along smoothly, then during removal, the noise and feeling it made started to change, and I noticed that the shaft of the shock (which is what the bolt is bolted to) was spinning, not the bolt. I've tried WD-40, tried pinching the rubber boot on the piston, and it still spins freely. Worse yet, if I try tightening, the same thing happens!!!!

HELP PLEASE!!! I need to either push forward and finish the install, or reverse and have it done by someone, and where I'm at right now, I can't do either! I need to have my car back together by tomorrow!

Thanks in advance to any and all who helps!

See pics...

[DJKhan85]

I could only remove the nut with my impact gun. You are going to have to get someone to hold the lower portion and then really crank the top nut off.

[DefactoM6]

Think it will hold together if I just tuck it back under, put it all back together and take it to Matt@Camber-Toe? Or am I pretty screwed here?

[Speed_Addict]

Do you have a 13/16" spark plug socket handy? That is the same as 19MM. Some spark plug sockets actually have a nut/bolt pattern on top such as pictured here: http://www.google.com/products?expId...ed=0CCwQzAMwAA

You could put that on the nut, place a allen wrench through the sockets square drive hole to hold the shaft of the strut and turn the spark plug socket with big open end wrench or cresent wrench.

Anyway, that is my thought...

I have the factory tool for this so its no problem for me

[BKV122]

Try heating the nut up with a torch may help loosen it up. or try shocking it by hitting it with a hammer, or pipe wrench on the shaft and then turn the nut but holding the shaft so it doesn't rotate.

[DefactoM6]

Thanks all! The 13/16 is a killer idea...might just go try that now...


The pipe wrench thing sounds kinda difficult given that I still need to have the spring compressors on, no?

[itsbrokeagain]

Just to clear some things up, the top nut is 21mm, not 19. 13/16 is same as 21, whereas 3/4 is the same as 19.

So from I understand is that the shock shaft is spinning and the nut won't tighten? Are you sure its not all the way tight already? Did you make sure you didn't cross thread it either?

An impact gun is needed to zip it down, as the top of the nut is squished from the factory to keep it from backing off. Regular hand tools makes it almost impossible to get it on and off. Worse case scenario is that you at least get it on there and somewhat snug and get it over here asap.

[itsbrokeagain]

I was looking again at the pics, if that is where the nut is at this moment, you are fine. Tuck it back under and bolt it back up.

Do not forget to line the small dowel up in the proper location. I have seen many people forget them and just jam the three 13mm nuts on without looking at orientation....if its not right it could bent the top hat or mushroom the shock tower sheet metal a little. Not fun.

Also you NEVER use heat on the top hat assembly. That is a sealed bearing and rubber. You heat that up you will destroy the top hat bearing and possibly ignite the rubber, leading to a fire on your hands..

[Speed_Addict]

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

Just to clear some things up, the top nut is 21mm, not 19. 13/16 is same as 21, whereas 3/4 is the same as 19.

Yep - your right! That will teach me to try and respond quickly while the wife is yelling for help in changing a cranky toddler's diaper LOL.

Anyway, I believe that is a 21MM nut so in the absence of a correct tool or and impact wrench the 13/16" spark plug socket may still do the trick in a pinch - although the OP may need to grow a third arm...

[DefactoM6]

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

Just to clear some things up, the top nut is 21mm, not 19. 13/16 is same as 21, whereas 3/4 is the same as 19.

So from I understand is that the shock shaft is spinning and the nut won't tighten? Are you sure its not all the way tight already? Did you make sure you didn't cross thread it either?

An impact gun is needed to zip it down, as the top of the nut is squished from the factory to keep it from backing off. Regular hand tools makes it almost impossible to get it on and off. Worse case scenario is that you at least get it on there and somewhat snug and get it over here asap.

Blame the frustration and 3 hours of sleep on that one...I went back out to the garage, and a 13/16 was on the wrench, lol.

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

I was looking again at the pics, if that is where the nut is at this moment, you are fine. Tuck it back under and bolt it back up.

Do not forget to line the small dowel up in the proper location. I have seen many people forget them and just jam the three 13mm nuts on without looking at orientation....if its not right it could bent the top hat or mushroom the shock tower sheet metal a little. Not fun.

Also you NEVER use heat on the top hat assembly. That is a sealed bearing and rubber. You heat that up you will destroy the top hat bearing and possibly ignite the rubber, leading to a fire on your hands..

Pshew! Alright, when can you get me in to finish off this jobbie and get a good alignment?

Originally Posted by Speed_Addict

Yep - your right! That will teach me to try and respond quickly while the wife is yelling for help in changing a cranky toddler's diaper LOL.

Anyway, I believe that is a 21MM nut so in the absence of a correct tool or and impact wrench the 13/16" spark plug socket may still do the trick in a pinch - although the OP may need to grow a third arm...

Yup...just tried the 13/16th plug socket...I'm really needing a 3rd arm. But since obtaining a 3rd arm is probably rather difficult and expensive, I will save myself the effort, button it all back up, return the spring compressors and head over to Matt...

[Blk07335i]

Try to borrow an impact wrench. Sometimes just a regular socket won't get them off. You need the quick torque application.

[DefactoM6]

Thanks for the tip...unfortunately I do not have access to anyone with an impact gun, especially in the next 2 hours. I buttoned everything up and I'm taking it to Matt@CamberToe next week...

[subieworx]

Electric impact is your friend. Buy one and prosper.

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

I could only remove the nut with my impact gun. You are going to have to get someone to hold the lower portion and then really crank the top nut off.

yeah for sure that would help, impact gun

[techlogik]

Originally Posted by subieworx

Electric impact is your friend. Buy one and prosper.

General consensus for sure.

[DefactoM6]

Thanks all, I guess I need to finally get an impact gun. I guess the electrics have gotten decent.

[zsapphire7]

you can also use a clamp and some towels to hold down the bottoms of the strut so you can turn the top nut loose. definately more difficult with out an impact but not impossible.

last option if you have another car is, take the front struts out and take em to a shop with an impact gun to take out the bolt and rebolt with the right springs.

[Blk07335i]

Another tip that I use that I forgot to mention is that to loosen the top nut while the entire strut is still on the car. In the past that's the first thing that I do prior to changing springs or shocks. Loosen that nut just a bit and then proceed with the install. Once you have the strut out like in your first pic the top nut will easily come off assuming you have the spring pressure off by using a spring compressor.

[itsbrokeagain]

Originally Posted by subieworx

Electric impact is your friend. Buy one and prosper.

Exactly

I didnt start off at a shop on this forum. I was doing installs at peoples houses or my own. Now look where I am

Best investment ever was the Snap-On 18v impact gun I bought 2 years ago. It was pricey at almost $600, but comes with 2 batteries, a case and charger, which can charge both the old and new style batteries offered by Snap On.

It made it's money back and then some.

[itsbrokeagain]

Originally Posted by DefactoM6

Thanks for the tip...unfortunately I do not have access to anyone with an impact gun, especially in the next 2 hours. I buttoned everything up and I'm taking it to Matt@CamberToe next week...

I will check the schedule tomorrow and let you know what I have open this week. Tomorrow is definitely no go, I have a lot of work already lined up and a GT2 that will be taking up one of the lifts for most of the day getting some stuff done..

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by zsapphire7

You can also use a clamp and some towels to hold down the bottoms of the strut so you can turn the top nut loose. definately more difficult with out an impact but not impossible.

^^This!
I used a some channel lock pliers (no towel) and held the shaft just below the top-hat on the underside. Worked no problem.