Ah, that makes sense! I feared that the one nut was doing double duty - securing the strut assembly to the car's body, and securing the strut mount to the strut.
Strut shaft spins when I try to remove the top nut (strut won't come out.)
- Thread starter lizpat
- Start date
I think this illustrates that some jobs require availability of the right tools. While i don't discourage doing things yourself , as long as the safety factor is considered. You have to realize as you take on jobs like these, that you have to have the right tools on hand, or be willing to buy the right tools for the job, if it gets a bit sideways.
The OP did did the right thing, getting opinions here first. You just have to be committed to having/buying what you need before you get in over your head.
I've gotten in over my ability/ willingness a time or two. I had multible bolts on my truck transmission pan break off, from rust. I tried and managed to get one out. But i realized getting 4 or 5 broken bolts out ( and possibly having to heli-coiling them) lying on my back on the ground was just silly. The trans had a lot of miles on it, with no trans cooler, i had the money, so i said screw it. I'm sending it to a shop and rebuilding it before a failure, and fix the broken bolts a the same time.
The OP did did the right thing, getting opinions here first. You just have to be committed to having/buying what you need before you get in over your head.
I've gotten in over my ability/ willingness a time or two. I had multible bolts on my truck transmission pan break off, from rust. I tried and managed to get one out. But i realized getting 4 or 5 broken bolts out ( and possibly having to heli-coiling them) lying on my back on the ground was just silly. The trans had a lot of miles on it, with no trans cooler, i had the money, so i said screw it. I'm sending it to a shop and rebuilding it before a failure, and fix the broken bolts a the same time.
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That's pretty much how I accumulated my tools over time. By starting a job and realizing it couldn't be done, or would be faster with X, Y or Z. Often times I'll finish a job and next time I'm shopping for tools, pickup whatever it was that I realized would make the job that much easier for the next time. Nothing wrong with that, I still encounter it to this day, even though I have a large tool collection.
Like said several times this is a perfect job for an impact wrench. The nut has very little mass while the strut rod has a bunch. It'll rattle right loose! That's how impact wrenches... work.
I've put vise grips around a rag around a strut rod and loosened the top nut just fine. Left no marks, could have reused the strut.
I've put vise grips around a rag around a strut rod and loosened the top nut just fine. Left no marks, could have reused the strut.
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Vice grip the strut shaft and air gun the nut off with a swivel socket and extension. If you’re reusing the strut, put a rag on the shaft and then the vice grip. It’ll come off easily.
While I would use an air gun (I’ve got several), the OP is new to the hobby and doesn’t have a big selection of tools. Air gun requires impact sockets and compressor.
While I agree that it’s the best approach, suggesting the purchase of a compressor, sockets, and gun might not be practical.
While I agree that it’s the best approach, suggesting the purchase of a compressor, sockets, and gun might not be practical.
They make 12 volt ones like this $20 unit from HF: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-1-2-half-inch-emergency-impact-wrench-92349.html
Here's different car from the Honda that uses the same method to mount the strut assembly to the body:
You can see after the strut is removed and the top hat is out of the way, you see the actual strut nut that would hold the strut mount to the spring.
or this video where Charles (HumbleMechanic) takes an impact wrench to zap that nut off.
Too bad you did not have some RBRT hex bits in your tool kit.
For those kurious, here's an update:
I was able to borrow a Harbor Freight Earthquake XT impact wrench with something like this: ( https://www.amazon.com/TITE-REACH-EXTENSION-WRENCH-Combo-Pack/dp/B004UBHRWO ), and holding the strut shaft from below with a small pipe wrench, the nut came off.
Here's a mistake I made at the outset: I used PB Plaster instead of Liquid Wrench. I truly believe that was a big error, at the outset of this project. I used PB Plaster at every point when I should have used Liquid Wrench (which is what I used last year when I lowered my Corolla on BILSTEIN B12's.)
Youtube Project Farm did a video comparing PB Blaster vs. Liqud Wrench and the latter is far superior. It's true, I can attest to that.
I was able to borrow a Harbor Freight Earthquake XT impact wrench with something like this: ( https://www.amazon.com/TITE-REACH-EXTENSION-WRENCH-Combo-Pack/dp/B004UBHRWO ), and holding the strut shaft from below with a small pipe wrench, the nut came off.
Here's a mistake I made at the outset: I used PB Plaster instead of Liquid Wrench. I truly believe that was a big error, at the outset of this project. I used PB Plaster at every point when I should have used Liquid Wrench (which is what I used last year when I lowered my Corolla on BILSTEIN B12's.)
Youtube Project Farm did a video comparing PB Blaster vs. Liqud Wrench and the latter is far superior. It's true, I can attest to that.
I have both PB and Liquid Wrench. Impact Wrench is the bomb for many jobs. Works great on those stuck O2 sensors too.
Glad you got it solved!
I hadn’t considered electric impact, as I’ve got no experience with them. Can’t recommend what I don’t know...but please use impact sockets with an impact wrench.
As far as PB’laster - it’s never worked well for me. I threw my last can in the trash years ago. Kroil is my favorite. Works well. Liquid Wrench is a close second.
I hadn’t considered electric impact, as I’ve got no experience with them. Can’t recommend what I don’t know...but please use impact sockets with an impact wrench.
As far as PB’laster - it’s never worked well for me. I threw my last can in the trash years ago. Kroil is my favorite. Works well. Liquid Wrench is a close second.
I've used kroil as well and it works well. My favorite now, is actetone and atf mixed 50/50.
Maybe this will help. When in doubt - youtube.
Mike B
I find it easier to loosen that nut FIRST, while vehicle weight is on the strut, they just seem to break loose.
I **NEVER** understood why instructions wait and call for loosening that nut LAST., that is the hardest nut to remove.
I **NEVER** understood why instructions wait and call for loosening that nut LAST., that is the hardest nut to remove.
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