Where can I purchase the right wrench to tighten the threaded top that keeps the inserts inside our stock strut casings?

-e

I don't know about anyone else, but depending on what type of nut you need to do up, I use either a medium size plumbers pipe wrench or a motorbike suspension c-spanner

hope it helps

Andrew

Snap-On has this tool (WMS1) which is a functional eqivalent for special tool (KV40100800) Appears to be special order only...if you want to get one from Snap-On. Not a very cheap tool tho...$75.00-$80.00. Well worth it tho, if you don't want to chew up the strut packing nut taking it off or putting it back on. Fits 51mm-54mm on one side and 55mm-58mm on the other side.

webdawg1

webdawg1

what is the tool you pictured?

I don't see how that's the one I would need for the "nut" at the top of the strut casing. The nut that's at the top of my front strut casing on my 73 is round with two 3/8" square tabs cut out 180degrees from each other...

I looked in google images for some pics of 240Z struts and here's what i found...

Andrew the motorcycle suspension "C" spanner sounds like the way to go... they come in different sizes? or do I have to specify one for a certain bike that happens to have a shock diameter similar to our struts?

-e

Eric, I use a pipe wrench as well. It does "Bite" into the gland nut (or "Grand Nut" in Japanglish) a bit. Just a note: I've seen gland nuts like you desribed, with two flats and nuts with the full hex. One time, both on one car!

Thank you Victol Raury...

pipe wrench it is.

-e

the motorcycle suspension "C" spanner sounds like the way to go... they come in different sizes? or do I have to specify one for a certain bike that happens to have a shock diameter similar to our struts?

-e

Eric

They do come in different sizes. The one I use is off an east european bike (MZ) which just happened to fit ( and incidentally is also a 'perfect' fit for undoing the inner tie rods ends on the steering rack :classic:)

All I can suggest is that it will be quite a small c spanner as the bike mine came off was a small bike with narrow rear shocks. Your average bike monoshock one will be too big. Perhaps you could take a strut or a nut to a bike shop to see if you can get one the right size.

If I had had to buy a tool to remove it I probably would have bought a pipe wrench as they are a lot cheaper than motorcycle tools and far easier to find.

hope it helps

Andrew

EricB,

I bought it for a 75, which would explain the difference. All the strut nuts I've seen to date have had the flats on them. Oh well, you learn something new just about every time you log onto this site anyway..he he...Later.....

webdawg1

Like Victor, I use a Pipe wrench, or at least I did in the past. In going through my fathers tools I found a large Crescent Wrench (Adjustable Spanner) that will fit that nut, so I'll give it a try next time I need to do this job.

When I replaced the strut cartridges on my 240, the new inserts came with new nuts. The new nuts were not like the old ones. The old ones were like the type you would use a spanner wrench on, the new ones would use the Snap-On tool. I used a pipe wrench for both. You should use the new nuts when replacing your struts. The new inserts are meant to be used with the new nuts.

Word of caution when using a pipe wrench on the strut gland nut! Be carefull not to slip off the gland nut and ding the insert shaft......good way the F-up your day and the insert. :stupid:

I have a unique problem with the upper strut gland nut. The ones currently in the car well at least the front right hand side are circular and not a octagon shape like it should be.

This means I can't get a grip on it with a pipe wrench or the snap on tool above as they are designed for the normal octagon shape nut. One thing I noted about the circular one was that it has two holes directly opposite each other like you could insert something into them and turn it out that way.

I guess my options with my limited tools are to take it to a suspension shop or ask a friend who might have the tool.

The Tokico's I got from someone here in Australia came with the octagon shaped nuts so I'll probably put those on instead it's just getting them off to begin with.

PS: Anyone know where to get 270 + LB springs in Australia to suit a Z?

Help?

I also posted in this thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=138914#post138914 seeing as they are both talking about the same sort of thing.