Going to atempt to replace struts using hand tools

[93 teal terror]

Anyone have any tips?

 

[dromeda]

I used nothing more than a couple sockets, a 12inch steel tube (breaker bar) to do mine, well to do one. I had to use an impact wrench and impact cutter to get the top nut off one strut. The car was definitely not taken care of by the preivous owner...

But you shouldn't need anything more than a few sockets and socket wrench. I'd suggest a wheel alignment when you're done so that you don't speed up the wear on your tires.

 

[93 teal terror]

cool, did you have trouble with the strut turning when you removed the top bolt?

 

[dromeda]

Yeah, that's where the impact wrench came into play, if you wack it hard enough, fast enough, long enough, it will break free. I'm guessing you don't have access to air tools...

Try using vise grips on the shaft, it get's pretty slippery due to it being hardened and shiny (polished). And use some WD-40 or your favorite nut loosener... erm....

 

[93 teal terror]

yeah no air tools.....im thinking a closed face wrench and a screwdriver to put in the slot on top to keep it from turning

 

[84blkstang]

I went to change mine, we had to beat the top nuts off with a chisle because it still had the factory struts talk about a b****. The screw driver in the top didnt work at all. take your time and do it right and make sure you have constant pressure on the spring also.

 

[HISSIN50]

i forgot about the slot on the top of the stud - is it a flat screwdriver slot? i cant remember. if so, i wonder if you use a wrench to hold the nut, and then use an impact driver, if it would break it loose.

good luck.

 

[dromeda]

yeah no air tools.....im thinking a closed face wrench and a screwdriver to put in the slot on top to keep it from turning

We tried that with a huge (2 foot) pry bar and it snapped the top of the strut piece off. That's when we turned to an impact chisel. Screw driver won't cut it, especially if these are still the stock struts, I'd use a pry bar or crow bar if you got one, definitely need 2 peeps for that.

 

[10HoleLX]

Soak all nuts to be removed with WD40 the day before you actaully work on it.

Then give it a try.

Find an old 2 ton jack handle and use that as a breaker bar on a 1/2 inch ratchet/socket to break loose the two lower strut bolts.

 

[87TTopGT]

Getting nut off top of strut is definitely the main issue. I had to go buy a cheap angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut the top of the struts off.

 

[v8only]

I just pulled the whole assmbly out with the nut, then put it on the ground where I could get more leverage and cranked the nut off with a breaker bar. Or you could take it to a service station and have them air wrench it off

 

[Juiced88Coupe]

I have done this numerous times, and "Liquid Wrench" is your best friend, and I have air tools...

-Matt