Removing the top bolt from suspension strut

[dieseluser07]

Ive got the struts out but im stuck getting the top bolt off, it looks like im going to have to buy a drop neck spanner set for 40 quid, is there a cheaper or easier way to do it? I dont have a impact wrench.

[brrapp]

Do you need to get into the centre of the nut with an Allen key to hold it? Or can you reach the shaft with mole grips or similar?
A long reach socket should do at a fraction of the price of a specialized spanner.
Even if you need to get into the top of the strut, you could make up something welding a bar to the long socket .

[PositronicRay]

I used a long socket. A quick 'crack' to break the stiction then hex key though the hole while turning the socket with pipe wrench..

[Mr2Mike]

dieseluser07 said:

Ive got the struts out but im stuck getting the top bolt off,.

Do you mean the nut on the end of the damper shaft that retains the upper spring platform? If so do you realise you very likely need to compress the springs before removing this to avoid injury?

Why have you removed the struts? If you are replacing the dampers because they are worn out or leaking then you can try holding the damper shaft with e.g. a pair of mole grips, through the spring. Obviously don't even consider this if you need to reuse the dampers.

If there is a hex recess in the end of the shaft then you might be able to use this in conjunction with a cranked ring spanner or a pass-through type socket/ratchet, but if the nut is tight then there is a good chance of rounding out the hex. Taking them to a garage (or even a tyre fit place) and getting them to use their impact gun on them is probably the best idea unless you invest in one yourself.

PositronicRay said:

I used a long socket. A quick 'crack' to break the stiction then hex key though the hole while turning the socket with pipe wrench..

This is also possible if you don't mind chewing up the outside of your sockets, of if you happen to have an old socket of the right size that you don't care about. If you are really lucky you might find a spark plug socket will fit, and they often have a hex on the end so you can drive them with a spanner.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 29th March 11:50

[colin_p]

No idea what car you have.....

But success can be had on many by using a spark plug socket. These have 'flats' to allow a spanner to undo the nut AND for an allen key to go down the middle to counter hold.

[dieseluser07]

Mr2Mike said:

dieseluser07 said:

Ive got the struts out but im stuck getting the top bolt off,.

Do you mean the nut on the end of the damper shaft that retains the upper spring platform? If so do you realise you very likely need to compress the springs before removing this to avoid injury?

Why have you removed the struts? If you are replacing the dampers because they are worn out or leaking then you can try holding the damper shaft with e.g. a pair of mole grips, through the spring. Obviously don't even consider this if you need to reuse the dampers.

If there is a hex recess in the end of the shaft then you might be able to use this in conjunction with a cranked ring spanner or a pass-through type socket/ratchet, but if the nut is tight then there is a good chance of rounding out the hex. Taking them to a garage (or even a tyre fit place) and getting them to use their impact gun on them is probably the best idea unless you invest in one yourself.

PositronicRay said:

I used a long socket. A quick 'crack' to break the stiction then hex key though the hole while turning the socket with pipe wrench..

This is also possible if you don't mind chewing up the outside of your sockets, of if you happen to have an old socket of the right size that you don't care about. If you are really lucky you might find a spark plug socket will fit, and they often have a hex on the end so you can drive them with a spanner.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 29th March 11:50

Yes i know about spring compressors, and its a nut with the centre of the bolt requiring a hex key yes.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[stevieturbo]

Really, a gun is best.

Or you can buy various socket systems that allow you access to hold an allen key in there too when undoing the nut.

[dieseluser07]

stevieturbo said:

Really, a gun is best.

Or you can buy various socket systems that allow you access to hold an allen key in there too when undoing the nut.

Urgh people keep saying this but i dont want to fork out for a gun as i wont need it for anything else

[E-bmw]

Local garage £10 job done, assuming they don't need compressing.

[227bhp]

Take it to someone who knows what they're doing and has the correct tools.

[dieseluser07]

E-bmw said:

Local garage £10 job done, assuming they don't need compressing.

I could barely find a garage to fit my springs as i bought them myself, probably going to have even more trouble taking them 2 struts and asking them to swap the springs over.

[SlimJim16v]

Always crack the strut nut loose before taking them off. Makes things much easier.

[M_A_S]

stevieturbo said:

Really, a gun is best.

Until you find the shock piston is screwed into the base of the shock. Becoming less rare.

[stevieturbo]

dieseluser07 said:

Urgh people keep saying this but i dont want to fork out for a gun as i wont need it for anything else

And did I say it was your only option ? No.

If you have an angle grinder I'm sure you could remove it without buying anything else. Refitting might prove more difficult.

[GreenV8S]

stevieturbo said:

Refitting might prove more difficult.

[Mr2Mike]

M_A_S said:

Until you find the shock piston is screwed into the base of the shock. Becoming less rare.

Pretty much every damper has the piston attached to the shaft with a threaded fastener. They dont come off at all easily though.

[steveo3002]

post what town you are in , someone might roar it off with a cordless impact gun for you

[dieseluser07]

I have no issue getting it off, but clueless as t how i can get it back on and torque it properly aswell.

[PositronicRay]

Re-assemble, refit to the car, torque up in situ.

Check top mounts while at it.

[dieseluser07]

PositronicRay said:

Re-assemble, refit to the car, torque up in situ.

Check top mounts while at it.

Would torquing up in situ stop the centre shaft spinning would it? And therefore i could just tighten without holding onto the centre bolt with an allen key?