Issues with my Tokico Illuminas- please advise
 

I have modified front spindles with coilovers and tokico bz1086 strut inserts. I'm using them in conjunction with RE Speed camber plates.
My problem: I simply cannot tighten the upper nut. Of course the strut piston starts to spin before the nut seats. It's a real PITA. I went out and purchased high quality strap wrenches to hold the piston/shaft but they aren't sufficient. It still spins before the bolt tightens.
Am I missing something? It does look as though the insert could use a special wrench or socket of some kind since a section of the end is notched.
I haven't installed the wheels and dropped the car on the ground but other than that I've tried everything I can think of. Would that really make much of a difference?
Thanks for any and all help fellas.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7...1257xx2.th.jpg
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5...1256qm8.th.jpg

Use an impact gun with a deep socket, works like a charm. I didn't have one at the time, but what I did was tighten the nut as much as I could w/ wrench and holding the top piece with a vise grip. Then drove slowly to a tire shop to tighten up w/ impact gun. I had the same problem when I changed mines. Let us know how it turns out.

use a smaller open ended wrench on where there are the 2 groves on top while using another open ended or ratcheting wrench to tighten the bolt.

edit: nvm i thought there was 2 groves but looking at the picture better it wont work. :dunno:

I've tried the impact method. I used all three settings on my impact up to nearly 600 ft/lbs with no luck. The piston just spins :(

Was the car on the ground when you tried it? The load of the car may help you.

have you tried using some shop rags and vice grips to hold the strut shaft?

Taken from my first post:
I haven't installed the wheels and dropped the car on the ground but other than that I've tried everything I can think of" ...so no the car was not on the ground when I tried.

I took a section of rubber hose, split it down the side, and fit it around the piston. I then grabbed it as tightly as possible with vice grips. The shaft still spins. I won't use just a rag because I've seen damage due to that method.

Perhaps the nut is actually at the bottom of it's travel and there are no more threads for it to turn around? Someone noted there should be a lock washer under the nut. Is that the case? If so, that would take up additional threads and the end result would be a "tighter" assembly.

Judging from your pics, it does look like the nut maybe at the bottom of it's travel of threads and I do see you have the washer in place at the bottom.

You don't need a lock washer but any washer would work with your assembly to get rid of the play, if thats the case. Try taking the washer from the other side of the shock (left) and add it to the right side to see if that works for you.

Hey...you made it this far, doesn't hurt to try it out.

-Kenny

Thanks Kenny but that's not a washer under the nut. That's the spherical bearing. I'm going to locate a couple of copper crush washers and give those a shot (per recommendation of Billy at RE Speed)
Thanks guys for all the help thus far!

Ah.... I think you found the culprit Heath. No one will know better than Billy. Let us know if thats the end to your problem.

-Kenny