Quick Question regarding servicable strut

[Kingdom934]

So I'm working on my passenger side of my Gen1 now (finally got the driver side taken care of).

This side, the strut is dead (figure). Since my driver side was half done from age, this side spanner nut (the nut that holds the cartridge) is not budging! I've tried using a chisel...well I'm actually digging through the nut (I've been pb blasting it). I've heard of a spanner/shifter....54mm I believe. I can't seem to find it online at a local mainchain store (sears). Is there another name for this?

Thanks!

[Jimnist]

Not that i know of. You can try using multi-grips, but beware! You could chew off the edges and truly screw yourself.

I'd just get a bigger hammer and soak it more. Are you hitting it on a good angle? If you can't undo them, you could always buy aftermarket non-serviceable ones.

Personally, I'd prefer those - far less hassle. With the serviceable ones, you can't have it too tight as you might snap the welds and too loose means they'll vibrate loose. The latter has happened which resulted in some sketchy handling.

I think the only way to stop them from undoing is to safety lockwire them, but it seems like such an overkill.

[white90dx]

I used a pipe wrench both times I have done serviceable struts... if the gland nut is really stuck on there though, that might not work.

Good luck!

-Charlie

[Kingdom934]

Alrighty.

I'll try soak it...more. With regards to serviceable vs nonservicable, I wish there was nonservicable ones for the Gen1...I would avoid this if I could haha.

I'll try see if I got a pipe wrech.

[Kingdom934]

i got a pipe wrench and it was off less then a minute...

So I had the entire assemb out. I had only the strut housing and the strut itself (springs off) attaached to the car since I needed leverage. Got a 14" pipe wrench, had it on and a few hammers, it came off.

Got entire front i nback together and the car drives like a dream....now gotta do rears >.<

[white90dx]

Awesome. I don't really like the idea of using plumbing tools on my car, but in this case it works pretty well.

The 'correct' way to hold the strut is with a vice on a bench top. I did that one time, the other time, I think I jammed something through the lower mounting holes to keep things from spinning. (both times off the car)

Hopefully this helps somebody else too.

-Charlie

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Awesome. I don't really like the idea of using plumbing tools on my car, but in this case it works pretty well.

The 'correct' way to hold the strut is with a vice on a bench top. I did that one time, the other time, I think I jammed something through the lower mounting holes to keep things from spinning. (both times off the car)

Hopefully this helps somebody else too.

-Charlie

Haha. It works.

I know, the correct way was to get a vice grip but blah...I don't got a vice grip or a good table (no use in having a table break, right?).

Good info...who'd thought of a pipe wrench, lol. Now I can work on my serviceable struts and my kitchen sink