Durn Strut Nut

[DTT92LX]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[HISSIN50]

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]

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]

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

 

[DTT92LX]

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!