Removing Struts

[gqdabien]

I am having trouble taking off the top 3 bolts of the strut cap where it is seen in the engine bay. What toolls would i need to undo them? I have already destroyed one of my sockets trying to undo it with a socket wrench. Thanks.

Also what is recommended for the 2 larger bolts that connect to the control arm. ? Thanks

[amerikim]

Go down to Sears, invest in a decent set of metric wrenches and a breaker bar. You will use them as long as you work on imports.
Also pick up something to loosen rusted/gunked up bolts and some loctite. Good tools make a good job.

[KILLACAMNY]

I used some wd-40 and elbow grease. I do have a full set of craftsman tools as well that are tough enough to handle the abuse, including a torque wrench. But I did get the top 3 and lower 2 off.

[gaak]

i destroyed my craftsman socket wrench when i tried, so i went over to the breaker bar and rust releasing oil combo and that workedvery nicely

[gqdabien]

how much sould a good breaker bar run me? And are htey all universal? From what i see it looks like a socket wrench w. a long ass handle.

[Pineapple]

Impact gun works everytime. Didn't have problem on it with my 3/8 ratcher.

[I4 to V6 Swap]

I go with the impact tools. 14mm on the top struts nuts, and i tihnk 19 or 21 on the two big ones at the bottom. The larger ones on the bottom should be a lot harder than the ones on the top.

[KILLACAMNY]

Well, since I never had access to impact tools, when I had trouble removing the rear strut bolts, I went to a flat fix spot and had them take off the bolt with their impact tools. Then I greased up the bolt and had them put it back on. When I got home, taking it off with my ratchet was simple. You can do the same for your situation.

[YESCA]

DITTO

Originally posted by Pineapple
Impact gun works everytime. Didn't have problem on it with my 3/8 ratcher.

[Eye8Pussies]

for a breaker barm you can always use the extension part on the handle of your floor jack......

[Admiral]

Originally posted by gqdabien
how much sould a good breaker bar run me? And are htey all universal? From what i see it looks like a socket wrench w. a long ass handle.

breaker bar is about 10 - 20 bucks and worth it! yeah its a socket with a long handle but it will take those bolts off in a jiff

[atobe]

what? there's no way you'd break anything taking off those 3 bolts. factory spec is like 20ft/lb max for those. for the control arm you need air gun there's no way of taking those off by hand.

[jackfrost1031]

the 2 bolts holding the strut to the spindle need a 1/2 drive ratched or bar with a pipe about a foot longer, at least on a gen 2. They're torqued to aboot 180ft/lb and fun to retorque with hand tools

[nort0188]

14mm deep-well with a breaker bar and liquid-wrench.

[atobe]

yeah i wouldn't try taking off those 2 big boltswith hand tools. i broke 3 wrenchs trying to take them off. then i got air tools took them off in a second. air impact gun rules