Strut removal problem...help!

callys

Member

Oct 14, 2005

76

0

7

Oct 27, 2007

#1

• Oct 27, 2007

• #1

I am replacing all the springs/struts on my fox body. Did the rears real quick, moved on to the front.

Here is where I am stuck. I just can not get the nut off the top of the strut. I tried putting a huge flathead in from the side into the notch and holding it while I turned it...no luck. Tried using heavy duty air gun, no luck. The rod just spins inside the strut.

Any ideas? I guess worse case scenario I have to buy a new strut guide?

Thanks.

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

2,253

358

164

Joplin, Missouri

Oct 27, 2007

#2

• Oct 27, 2007

• #2

An air impact should do it. Is the strut still attached at the bottom?

 

ScratchinFerTra

Member

May 11, 2007

68

0

6

Mebane, NC

Oct 27, 2007

#3

• Oct 27, 2007

• #3

Try vise grips on the strut shaft in the wheel well, then take the nut off with the impact.

 

tomustang

Psychotic Member

Founding Member

Jun 8, 2000

3,434

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78

McLean Hospital

Oct 27, 2007

#4

• Oct 27, 2007

• #4

ScratchinFerTra said:

Try vise grips on the strut shaft in the wheel well, then take the nut off with the impact.

Click to expand...

douse but with WD or PB blaster too

 

callys

Member

Oct 14, 2005

76

0

7

Oct 28, 2007

#5

• Oct 28, 2007

• #5

Impact, grips, none of it worked, just sawzalled the studs right below the nut.

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

2,253

358

164

Joplin, Missouri

Oct 28, 2007

#6

• Oct 28, 2007

• #6

callys said:

Impact, grips, none of it worked, just sawzalled the studs right below the nut.

Click to expand...

That works as well. But obcviously only if ur replacing them. Sorry we couldn't help.

 

ShortThrow50

Member

Oct 22, 2006

923

2

16

Pa

Oct 28, 2007

#7

• Oct 28, 2007

• #7

cordless impact wrench at PEP BOYS 80 BUCKS! Best 80 bucks i ever spend. 200 pound torque too.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Oct 28, 2007

#8

• Oct 28, 2007

• #8

With the Car still on the Ground, I buzzed the Top Nut loose with the Impact Gun and then jacked the Car up.

 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet

Sep 17, 2005

2,867

2

58

Port Elgin, Ontario

Oct 28, 2007

#9

• Oct 28, 2007

• #9

IR 2135Ti.....1000 ft lbs reverse torque..nuff said. never found a nut or bolt it wouldn't budge.....and I work in a garage 9+ hours a day

 

HISSIN50

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

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Oct 28, 2007

#10

• Oct 28, 2007

• #10

I use one of those long prybars that's like a flathead screwdriver with a bent tip. I put it in the strut's notch, but hold the prybar so it's parallel with the ground (this gives you leverage). Then loosen the nut.

 

callys

Member

Oct 14, 2005

76

0

7

Oct 28, 2007

#11

• Oct 28, 2007

• #11

I have a Snap-On impact gun. Its air, not electric obviously. Its an older gun but its supposed to put out somewhere in the range of 700lbs of torque. These were the original nearly 18-year-old struts on my car. I was pretty amazed that the gun wouldnt take off the nut when the car was on the ground, but the shaft immediately started spinning like a whirring noise, maybe it had something to do with them being blown.

 

R

redfox91

Member

May 24, 2004

94

0

6

Northwest Arkansas

Oct 28, 2007

#12

• Oct 28, 2007

• #12

I just did this and I would recommend buying a new strut mount... Or you could take it down and lay it on the garage floor with some help use a breakover bar. Thats the way I did it. I wish I would have had new strut mounts it would have been alot easier.

 

SuperStang83

Founding Member

Mar 21, 2001

1,693

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Boyertown, Pa

Oct 28, 2007

#13

• Oct 28, 2007

• #13

Cut them if you don't need them. If you have the money get a good impact gun, you know you will be able to use it for many jobs.