1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Need Help Strut Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-03-05, 04:31 PM
  #1  
WON'T FORGET DAVE

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
drugblock12a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Twin Cites
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Need Help Strut Problems

i know most of you will tell me to use the search but i'm low on time. i took off my struts and can't get the locknut on the top off. tried with springs compressed and not compressed it moves with the assembly. i need them off!!!! any ideas and sugestions please!!!
Old 12-03-05, 04:49 PM
  #2  
buzzzzz!-ook!-buzzzzz!

 
SparkienSuggah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Toronto/Can.
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i used a torch on the drivers side, then i wised up and removed the nut while the passenger side was still installed in the car (still needed torch). use two large pipe wrenches and write off the strut inside. my toch blew out all the oil seals in the old unit.

i also used a chisel to square off the nut a little, cause it kept stripping..

in other words: fo shizzle, get yo chisel
Old 12-03-05, 05:28 PM
  #3  
Shell 93

iTrader: (4)
 
kevinbtz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 1,019
Received 20 Likes on 11 Posts
vice grips
Old 12-03-05, 05:46 PM
  #4  
Old Fart Young at Heart

iTrader: (6)
 
trochoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St Joe MO
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
If you are refering to the top nut on the strut shaft, hit it with an impact gun, while still in the car. Do not remove, just loosen.

If you are refering to the large nut on the strut tube, mount the tube in a vise and use a pipe wrench or large cresent wrench.
Old 12-03-05, 05:50 PM
  #5  
WON'T FORGET DAVE

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
drugblock12a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Twin Cites
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
damn i wish i would have known that when they were still in the car. do you think i can take them to shop and they can zip them off with an impact gun?(they are both now uncompressed) and there's no way i'm torching it.......i don't trust myself.
Old 12-03-05, 06:29 PM
  #6  
Dom
callin' tokyo

 
Dom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I took it off with when the strut was out of the car. I held the shaft with vice grips and used the impact gun.

I came up with this problem again last month and when I put the impact on it, with the strut still in the car, it just spun. So I guess that the shaft still needs to be held somehow.
Old 12-03-05, 06:30 PM
  #7  
Old Fart Young at Heart

iTrader: (6)
 
trochoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St Joe MO
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
If the springs are still on, I assume, then attach the spring compressor and hit it with the gun. Hand wrenching just isn't fast enough, especially on worn struts, because the strut shaft will spin. If you are replacing the struts and don't care about the old ones, you can clamp a set of 9R vise grips on the strut shaft to keep it from spinning and hand wrench the top nut.
Old 12-03-05, 07:28 PM
  #8  
WON'T FORGET DAVE

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
drugblock12a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Twin Cites
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well i was and i just took them to the shop. he was cool about it and only charged me $20 cash. thanks for all the advise from everyone. i think i'm going to look for a huge compressor, this is the second time in a week i needed the power of air. thanks again all.

p.s. thanks goes out to those mechcanics who are lookin to make a quick buck when their bosses backs are turned. paying full price sucks
Old 12-03-05, 07:38 PM
  #9  
Old Fart Young at Heart

iTrader: (6)
 
trochoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St Joe MO
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Once you go air, you never go back, it's like turbocharging and potato chips. You always want more power and you can never have enough air tools.
Old 12-03-05, 08:13 PM
  #10  
Full Member

 
AndyJ13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dude, definate. Just got some air tools right before I put new shocks in. Lifesavers!! Do it!




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:48 PM.