[JohnC]

So I have some Tokico shocks I want to install, but I can't get the front top shock nuts loose. How do you guys get these loose?

My attempts almost stripped out the slot on the top of the shaft. No one can seem to hold a big flat head screw driver in there and keep it from turning with the nut either.

[00vabchgt]

i hit mine with an impact to get it to turn without turning the strut shaft. after it was broken free, i was able to use a wrench to get it the rest of the way off...

[JohnC]

I don't have an impact, dangit. I suppose I'll end up paying someone to get the nut loose.

[HMUSN]

breaker bar/ cheater bar worked for me.

[C MY 4D]

Originally Posted by 00vabchgt i hit mine with an impact to get it to turn without turning the strut shaft. after it was broken free, i was able to use a wrench to get it the rest of the way off...

+1

[00vabchgt]

Originally Posted by JohnC I don't have an impact, dangit. I suppose I'll end up paying someone to get the nut loose.

take it to Auto Zone or some place like that. they should be able to do it for you...

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by HMUSN breaker bar/ cheater bar worked for me.

That's the thing, the nut is on so tight that it turns the whole shaft with it inside the shock.

I tried to wedge a huge screwdriver it the groove and against the body of the car, but it flexed and went flying across the motor.

Trust me. I know how to work on cars and suspension, but these shocknuts are stuck good. They have been for a good while, too. Every time I needed to drop the K member or swap the front springs, I always had to remove the two bottom bolts because I could never get the top loose.

[00vabchgt]

Originally Posted by 00vabchgt take it to Auto Zone or some place like that. they should be able to do it for you...

do like i said here^

[78mach1]

you should take the hole strut out and then find someone with a mcpherson spring compressor, get it in the compressor and break it loose with a impact, then compress the spring and then take the nut off all the way

that way the hole strut/shaft doesnt turn inside the housing

[78mach1]

Originally Posted by 00vabchgt take it to Auto Zone or some place like that. they should be able to do it for you...

who the hell brings it to autozone?.......they will try to sell him a damn o2 sensor!

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by 78mach1 you should take the hole strut out and then find someone with a mcpherson spring compressor, get it in the compressor and break it loose with a impact, then compress the spring and then take the nut off all the way that way the hole strut/shaft doesnt turn inside the housing

That doesn't seem possible without removing the caster camber plates. And I'm not positive the shock would fit through that either. The bottom has that flange for the two lower bolts that would have to fit through the top.

If it will come out the top and I do that, I'll have to take it back to the shop to have the caster/camber plates set up again.

[78mach1]

Originally Posted by JohnC That doesn't seem possible without removing the caster camber plates. And I'm not positive the shock would fit through that either. The bottom has that flange for the two lower bolts that would have to fit through the top. If it will come out the top and I do that, I'll have to take it back to the shop to have the caster/camber plates set up again.

no you unbolt it completley then pull down the a arm down and it comes out the bottom.....i replace struts at my work on a weekly basis

you can mark the plates, and the buttom strut bolts

but it might just be easier to re alighn if after

[78mach1]

we always do an alighment right after we do a set of struts........but thats the easiest way

[00vabchgt]

Originally Posted by 78mach1 who the hell brings it to autozone?.......they will try to sell him a damn o2 sensor!

uhh, actually i did the first time i did my springs. i took it in and told them all i needed was for them to hit the nut with an impact. i didn't have one at the time. if you tell them exactly what you need, they don't try to sell you shit you don't need. try waslking into an autozone with out a clueless look on your face and i'm sure you'll do fine...

[78mach1]

Originally Posted by 00vabchgt uhh, actually i did the first time i did my springs. i took it in and told them all i needed was for them to hit the nut with an impact. i didn't have one at the time. if you tell them exactly what you need, they don't try to sell you shit you don't need. try waslking into an autozone with out a clueless look on your face and i'm sure you'll do fine...

he could go to a tire shop (discount, les shwab) and they would do the same thing

[Hourofpain]

and charge him fifty bucks for labor lol