After much work, I can finally hand tighten the gland nut.  I need a pipe wrench for the last couple turns, but it stops at the point int the picture.  Is that correct gap, or should it thighten to the point where the nut is flush?  The nut is tore up, but pipe wrench works.

wow that is chewed up. If you are using cartridges you should have gotten new ones. and if you do have carts, then it should NOT bottom out

Thanks @Dave WM I opened the cartridge packing and low and behold there was a new nut.  It still took some work, but I got it to the same point.

i noticed that the new cartridge is a little shorter than what was in there.  Does the gland nut compensate for that or do I need a shim?

thank you again.

Edited August 8, 20195 yr by wadelester

as long as it does not bottom out you will be ok, if it bottoms out then there is a good possibility that the cart is not firmly captured in the strut. I just did mine had maybe a 2 turns left before it would bottom. the extended shaft should have NO lateral play from the cart moving in the strut.

Tip invest in a 24" adjustable wrench, it will have smooth faced jaws. Pipe wrenches are for round steel or cast iron pipe, the jaws are designed to cut into the steel to get a bite. I found the 24" adj to be plenty of power to remove or replace gland nuts on the struts.

Edited August 8, 20195 yr by Dave WM

A wire brush on a drill can help clean up those threads too

Regarding how tight or close to "all the way in" the nut has to go, what matters is if the nut contacts the strut body top and locks it in place BEFORE the nut bottoms out. Nothing worse than a loose shock cartridge rattling around and driving you crazy. So as long as most of the threads are engaged, and the cartridge is locked in place, you're good. 

I thought I would add this here.

MSA now sells a gland nut tool. Pretty reasonable and allows torquing

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic07/60-9956

31 minutes ago, Patcon said:

I thought I would add this here.

MSA now sells a gland nut tool. Pretty reasonable and allows torquing

https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic07/60-9956

The MSA Summer Sale email pushed me over the edge.  I just ordered a full set of Koni's and the gland nut tool  Sale price + free shipping + no sales tax.  Rationalization rears it ugly head!

I deleted that email without ever looking.  I know ME. 

Put down the brochure and back away slowly...

On 9/7/2019 at 10:52 AM, jfa.series1 said:

The MSA Summer Sale email pushed me over the edge.  I just ordered a full set of Koni's and the gland nut tool  Sale price + free shipping + no sales tax.  Rationalization rears it ugly head!

My wife says it's your fault. I also pulled the trigger on the Koni's along with bushings, insulators. The old "while I'm in there...". MSA is checking one thing and will call in the AM. After reading through this thread I'm thinking it sounds better than the urethane tension rod bushing kit. Thoughts either way??

This will be something to do this winter.

12 hours ago, w3wilkes said:

My wife says it's your fault. I also pulled the trigger on the Koni's along with bushings, insulators. The old "while I'm in there...". MSA is checking one thing and will call in the AM. After reading through this thread I'm thinking it sounds better than the urethane tension rod bushing kit. Thoughts either way??

This will be something to do this winter.

Oh sure... blame it on the guy down in Texas, he's such a bad influence on everyone!  And, certainly I'm also responsible for the extra purchases as well.   bad dog!!!

I installed that ball and socket kit many years ago (still have it) when I also swapped out the front control arm bushings for eccentric bushings.  I was doing a lot of autocrossing back then.  The changes did tighten up the front end but at a cost of civility in the everyday drive experience.  The kit came out in favor of rubber T/C bushings when I restoed the car.  I see it as a good option for a track or AX intensive setup.

My work on the shock swap will also wait until a break in the temps - still running mid-to-high 90's here.