Strut Nut

[akzbob]

I'm trying to get the strut nut off and it just spins, not going up nor down. Any ideas of how to get it off? Should I decompress the springs to add some pressure or ?? I can see the nut turn inside the strut mount insulator, without the strut turning. Any ideas would be appreciated.

1978 Z coupe.

Thanks,

bob

[John Coffey]

Are you taking about the nut on top of the shock? If so...

If the nut is turning and shock shaft is not, then the nut or the shock shaft is stripped. You can try applying an upward force on the insulator to see if that will help pull the nut off the shock shaft while loosening the nut. If that doesn't work you can use a chisel to cut the nut in half.

If the nut and the shock shaft are both turning you should use a strap wrench wrapped around the shock shaft to keep it from turning as you loosen the nut. Soak the nut in some penetrant before trying to remove it.

[SteveJ]

It has been a few years since I've pulled the struts off of any car, but IIRC, I usually break the nut loose before compressing the spring.

[jmortensen]

John's ideas should work. If for some reason those don't pan out, an impact gun works. If you don't have an air compressor, you might see if the local equipment rental has an electric gun you can rent for a day.

[SteveJ]

John's ideas should work. If for some reason those don't pan out, an impact gun works. If you don't have an air compressor, you might see if the local equipment rental has an electric gun you can rent for a day.

Okay, that's bringing back memories. I think I used an impact wrench the last time I did struts.

[jmortensen]

Just have to be careful putting them back on, so they don't get overtorqued. I've seen an Illumina where the top of the shaft ripped off when a guy put the nut back on with an impact and wasn't careful about it.

[akzbob]

Thanks for the advice! I first tried the air impact wrench and that may have stripped the nut, but will know more if I get it off. I may have to resort to a 'Nut Cracker'.

Bob

[cozye]

I thought the strut shaft was flattented on two sides that matched the hole in the insulator so that it couldn't spin ? I got mine off with a regular 1/2 drive socket, using a breaker bar between two of the insulator mounting studs to hold the insulator still. You have to hold the insulator still for sure.. If you somehow rounded out that "keyed" hole in the insulator, well then it's going to be a PITA. And yes, you will definitely need to compress the spring if they aren't the lowering springs, unless you want to launch that insulator in your nut sack..

Edited January 13, 2011 by cozye

[Jeff G 78]

I thought the strut shaft was flattented on two sides that matched the hole in the insulator so that it couldn't spin ?

They are actually "D" shaped and the top mount does round easily. I've had good luck with the strap wrench plus impact wrench on old parts cars. If the struts are being replaced and you don't have a strap wrench, you can also use a pipe wrench or vice grips on the strut shaft. Obviously, you should NOT try this if you are not replacing the strut inserts.

[akzbob]

I tried again last night w/o any luck. I can turn the nut easily and also see that the shaft is not turning. Even with pressure from the strut insulator mount, it will not come out. The nut must be stripped and it looks like I will need to cut it off. Dremel comes out tonight as I don't think that I can get a nut cracker in there.

Bob

[Jeff G 78]

Just in case you didn't already know this. Do not remove or cut the top nut without the spring compressed. The strut is under a lot of pressure from the spring and the car will lurch up in the air when the nut is cut loose.

I have done this on parts cars with an impact, but I wouldn't want to be using a Dremel on the nut when the force is released. You will likely be injured.

[SteveJ]

Yeah, there's nothing like a strut coming apart. One time I had the wrong size spring compressor on a strut. As I compressed the spring to put the strut back together, the spring sprung. I could have been severely injured, but fortunately it hit me in the head. Needless to say, when I resumed work on that strut, I carefully inspected the spring compressor to ensure it was the right size.