Durn Strut Nut

DTT92LX

New Member

Oct 28, 2003

185

1

0

Downingtown, PA

Jun 29, 2005

#1

• Jun 29, 2005

• #1

So, after soaking in wd40 for a week, then banging with the BMFH, then hitting it with an impact wrench...what is the next step to breaking the original strut nuts loose? I really don't want to clamp anything on the strut shaft and scar it since I'm only installing cc plates...

Any other thoughts?

 

fox racer

Member

Jun 22, 2004

577

0

16

Staten Island, NYC

Jun 29, 2005

#2

• Jun 29, 2005

• #2

honestly, if they are the stock struts, just spend some extra money and get tokicos or something... really get use out of the caster/camber plates.

 

alanw6

Member

Dec 19, 2002

449

0

16

memphis, TN

Jun 29, 2005

#3

• Jun 29, 2005

• #3

If there's an easy way to remove that nut, I sure don't know it! It damn near killed me getting it removed when I did the springs/shocks/struts swap a little while back.

Subscribing to get a good answer for next time...

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jun 29, 2005

#4

• Jun 29, 2005

• #4

I cant remember on a fox, but if you can see where the end of the compression in the strut is, you could use vice grips above that point (since it never passes through the cartidge seal). Have you tried a rubber clamping dealie (looks like a serpentine belt with a handle - I cant recall the name right now)?
Using an impact driver can help too.
Good luck.

 

darthcual

Member

Mar 31, 2005

985

19

18

Arlington, TX

Jun 29, 2005

#5

• Jun 29, 2005

• #5

Ok heres how i broke mine loose. PB buster, and a little torch action. Just remember that PB buster is flammable but it burns off quickly. You will need two ppl. One applying the heat to the nut/stud area and one applying constant pressure with a wrench. Remember also that the wrench will get extremely hot so wear gloves or something. A cheater bar will help with the constant pressure or use the old locking two wrenches together trick. Hope that helps.

 

CManT1914

New Member

Feb 5, 2004

3,172

2

0

Killeen, Texas

Jun 29, 2005

#6

• Jun 29, 2005

• #6

I tried vice grips, I tried PB Blaster, I tried a BFH, I even tried using a screwdriver in that little slot then getting a wrench on it. I finally bought a big freaking 1/2" Craftsman impact wrench and it came off no problem. A 1/2" impact with a good swivel socket (needed that one for the freaking alternator pulley bolt) are invaluable tools for working on any car.

 

93 teal terror

Founding Member

Jul 13, 2001

971

62

69

Durham N.C.

Jun 29, 2005

#7

• Jun 29, 2005

• #7

I had to drill both mine off with carbid bits.....chewed right threw the mfer

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Jun 29, 2005

#8

• Jun 29, 2005

• #8

Oh yeah, one can head down to a shop and ask them to bust the nuts loose. Then cinch them up enough to safely get home and loosen/remove them.

Good luck.

 

ramjetlx

New Member

Apr 8, 2005

212

0

0

Honolulu, Hawaii

Jun 30, 2005

#9

• Jun 30, 2005

• #9

Remove the strut and put them into a vice grip located on a work bench. You have to put the skinny rod which is covered by the dust boot in between the vise or you will be turning the entire strut.(make sure you remove the dust boot before doing this) Use an impact gun or long bar on the end of a wrench to break it free. Took me 2 hours to figure this out and 5 minutes to do it.

 

nito88stang

Founding Member

May 23, 2002

2,012

0

46

Fullerton, California

Jun 30, 2005

#10

• Jun 30, 2005

• #10

Use a quality impact gun. Mine got it off pronto.

 

DTT92LX

New Member

Oct 28, 2003

185

1

0

Downingtown, PA

Jun 30, 2005

#11

• Jun 30, 2005

• #11

Thanks for the replies, gents. Spent another 1/2 hr with the impact wrench and it finally broke free. Guess another lesson learned on patience and persistence!