Strut Mount Nut - help

[SHOdude03]

Putting in new struts/springs, got the drivers side one out now, but can't get the big nut at the top off. Just to make sure that I was trying to do this right, I put a 13/16 on the big nut, and a 10mm on the top and then take it off that way right? just like the sway bar links in the front? Because attempting it this way I snapped a craftsman ratchet and stripped the 10mm part with an impact wrench. headbang Then I tried cutting through the strut shaft with a sawzall, after trying 4 different kinds of blades and having them just slide around(the strut shaft was nice and smooth) I have determined that I need to use a grinder. Basically I just wanna know if i was trying to do this correctly because I don't wanna mess up the other side.


oh on a sidenote, the spring was sheared in half(yes 2 pieces) the top half was compressed and frozen like that, the bottom half had some spring in it but I could compress it with my hands(took a lot of force though)

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

wTF?? madflame

I hope you are not dead yet...

If you do happen to read this before you do something else the wrong way, rant PLEASE get a shop manual, or check out the spring/strut installation guide at Autozone.com

You need spring compressors to remove that large nut. If you do not use them, you run a LARGE possibility of doing some severe damage to your body... or worse nono

 

[Ishodu]

Just what are you trying to save by getting them apart? The sturt is now garbage and the spring is broken? Are you trying to reuse the mounts and bearings? It might not be a great idea.

 

[shobote]

It's easy to remove the nut if you simply break it loose while it is still mounted in the strut tower on the car, but only break it loose and do not unscrew it more than that..

 

[kmetros]

SHOdude03:
I put a 13/16 on the big nut, and a 10mm on the top and then take it off that way right?

Well, kinda? Put the 1/4 inch drive 10mm nut on the strut rod, then put the 13/16" SPARK PLUG socket over that. Then put a 1/4" extension through the spark plug socket and into the 10mm socket. Using a wrench on the top of the spark plug socket, hold the nut still then use a 1/4 inch drive socket to turn the shaft on the nut. That or hold the nut and turn the spark plug socket....either way will work. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SPRING COMPRESSOR ON THE SPRINGS BEFORE REMOVING THE NUT!! This is a necessity in the front and a good precaution in the rear. Unloaded the rear springs are barely compressed, but the front's can be dangerous without using a spring compressor.

Good luck,

Kurt
www.kurtmetros.com/red90

 

[SHOdude03]

obviously I used a spring compressor I'm not a total idiot ;/

Thanks for the info guys, appreciate it. Hopefully I'll get it running today.