Monaro drag strut rod rear nut

[FizzysCar]

Hi,

Just been for a set of new tyres (conti sport contact 6's - just out ) and noticed my front left wheel has worn a lot on the inner edge again. I've fitted the pedders drag strut front bush kit, and poly roll bar and drop links poly bushes a while back. Basically the "front end pack".

Had alignment checked after these were fitted, as both front tyres were wearing on inner edge before.

I've been getting a clunk again from front left when going around roundabouts so had a nosey again today. Looks like the bush at the rear end of the drag strut is shot.

I do have some poly replacements - but can't seem to get the nut off the end. I would assume it's a sleeve nut? The nut section itself seems quite thin/shallow so hard to get a good grip on it with a socket...

Anybody on here changed this part themselves, and is there a knack to it? Wonder if it's possibly in situ or is it advisable to take the lower arm off completely (in which case may buy a new one anyway to make things easier)?

Thanks.

[VinceM]

There's a guy on here 99t I think his name is with the mega mileage monaro he has changed them iirc. I'd be interested if this cures the clunk as I get this now and again.

[99t]

Yes I did mine a while ago now, those bushes were destroyed on mine at high miles.







The nut on the end was very difficult to get off. I tried a lorry breaker bar (which had never previously been defeated) and couldn't move it at all. Then went to a Clarke CEW1000 mains impact wrench which has a huge amount of torque and even that struggled. I had several lengthy goes at it, with a brew in between each, before it finally started moving and even then it took a while to fully remove.

Removing the lower arms completely definitely made removing the remains of the bush much easier.

All front end clonks were cured, although I replaced almost everything in one hit! Good luck!

[FizzysCar]

That's great. Thanks.

Hmm - with my humble tools then probably not going to get that little blighter off. Did you fit a new one? Looks very shiney.

I think I'll either end up paying a garage to do it, or get a new lower control arm and drag strut rod and replace them both - saving me having to get that nut out. A bit overkill, but if it works....

Edit: Also, how tight did you fasten the nut back up?

Edited by FizzysCar on Sunday 20th September 21:24

[99t]

IIRC the reason they were so difficult to remove was due to threadlock.

I cleaned up and reused both nuts. Also cleaned up the thread on the drag strut and then reassembly was easy. Used a little thread lock and torqued up to the right figure - think it was on packaging / instructions of new bushes or else found it on the 'net, but it is out there somewhere!

[FizzysCar]

Well, had a chat with monkfish and they can supply the drag strut rod, but can't source the rear nut at the moment - so I'm going to have to get this one off somehow.

[MadMaxHSV]

If it's thread lock that's the issue, try getting some heat on it if you've a torch handy.
Had some factory locked bolts on BMWs that would shear rather than loosen without heat to break the bond first.

[j666eds]

MadMaxHSV said:

If it's thread lock that's the issue, try getting some heat on it if you've a torch handy.
Had some factory locked bolts on BMWs that would shear rather than loosen without heat to break the bond first.

This is how i got mine off, also the heat helped me remove the old bush.