Front shocks, nut in strut mount

[GeorgeW]

Hi guys. Thanks for the help in removing the dust cover.

I am now unable to remove the large nut under the hood attaching the the top of the strut. When I try to turn it the whole strut moves. What is the best way to hold the strut ? I dont see any other nuts underneath in the wheel well area.

I am trying to insert a green Bilstein shock into a black Boge strut. The bottom of the Bilstein shock is flat. Does this just insert into the bottom part of the black Boge strut? Should it attach to something?
Will it be a problem separating the original Boge shock from the bottom strut ?

[Wil Ferch]

If I understand your question...you're unable to remove the main shock shaft nut on top, because the same main shock shaft turns, ..correct?
If so, use an air powered wrench to "zip" the nut off. It has more inertia to "start" the nut turning without turning the whole shaft. May need to befriend a local shop if you don't have one or if you can't borrow one.
---Wil Ferch

[KFC911]

I used a pipe wrench to get a good grip on the large 2 1/2 " plate/washer (using a shop rag to keep from marring it), and since it has a 'notch' in the shaft, that will keep the shaft from turning. When you remove the old Boge strut (it usually just pulls right out), there may be fluid in the bottom of the strut. You'll want to remove this fluid before simply sliding the Bilsteins into the strut.

[masraum]

An impact is the easiest way to get that top nut off.

Once you have the nut off you unscrew the cap and pull the old guts out. They come out and are covered in oil. You are actually inside the shock, but after removing the oil from the strut the new Bilstein just drops inside. The new cap that came with the Bilstein is all that holds it in. It is as easy and simple as it seems.

[89911]

You might want to use some blue loctite on the threads of the strut housing when you tighten up the large ring nut that holds the insert in. I put mine in a year ago and they worked themselves loose. Enough so the nut was completely off the threads.

[GeorgeW]

Great. Thanks for all the tips. I now feel more comfortable doing the swap. I hate it when I destroy parts while doing the work myself - kinda that 'penny wise, pound foolish' syndrome. Also feel great when everything works.....in all had a great DIY weekend.
Thanks for all the help

[stomachmonkey]

When you put everything back together you can use paint or a sharpie to mark the nut and washer/plates.

When I check my oil I also do a quick visual check of my reference marks to make sure nothing is coming loose.

Works well for oil drain plugs and a host of other things as well.

[cstreit]

I always used an impact wrench... Works most every time...

[svandamme]

btw , what's that rubber thing called under the nutt??
i'm not familiar with the english terms

mine's a bit dry , is that bad , really bad, ok or what?

[samh]

If you don't have an impact wrench, just use vice-grips to clamp the edge of the large washers together. Thats how I got it done.

[GeorgeW]

Hi svandamme,

That large rubber washer/spacer is what really started to twist when I tried to loosen the nut.
Het alle besten..

[Rick Lee]

Before I had an impact driver, I used a box wrench and then held the stud with vice grips. Don't worry about chewing up those threads - you'll be throwing the insert away anyway and the stud is part of it.