Front Strut repair

limble · 09-12-2012, 04:58 PM

79 911 I'm trying to tighten the NUT on the front strut but the entire shaft of the PISTON turns. Is there a tool that hold this PISTON while tightening the NUT? Or, is there something else wrong with the strut?

dfink · 09-12-2012, 07:46 PM

Might not be of much help but I always just use a impact gets it tight without the need to hold the shaft.

ivangene · 09-12-2012, 08:01 PM

dont break off that little tab!!

impact is good idea

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

See that notch on the inverted washer? place a socket and a piece of 1/4" sheet metal behind it and up to the fender wall to keep the piston from spinning while you torque to spec.

If you have a odd short socket it would help even more.

Hope that helps,

PAG uses a spanner wrench to keep the washer in place ergo piston in place.

over,

na2ub · 09-13-2012, 05:12 AM

Giant channel locks on the big washer, maybe a pipe wrench. If you can hold the big washer, it will stop the strut from rotating.

Canada Kev · 09-13-2012, 06:58 AM

I just use a set of large jaw vice grips to hold that washer from turning.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Koni says DO NOT use an impact on the sport shocks.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Certainly, a large pipe wrench (protected a bit) did the trick easily. No impact wrench stuff.

Torque to spec on reinstall.

Doyle

Tidybuoy · 09-13-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Koni says DO NOT use an impact on the sport shocks.

I use an impact wrench but just until the nut starts to seat. Once you get to that point, you can usually use an orcinary box wrench without spinning the shaft.

I can see Koni's point as I snapped off the tab on my 914 many years ago - now I am just extra careful and don't use the impact wrench for torquing.

kwikt 911 · kwikt 911's Garage

Impact or over tightening can split the threaded shaft. Remember that the shaft is hollow in that particular shock. I have one that is totally useless in my attic because of tightening too much and splitting.

dfink · 09-14-2012, 06:50 AM

Not to hijack but how many people line up the notches so they point the same direction. I like mine pointing forward.

Matt Romanowski · 09-14-2012, 07:59 AM

The biggest problem with impact is that if you spin the shaft, you spin the piston and ruin the seals.

Tidybuoy · 09-14-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski

The biggest problem with impact is that if you spin the shaft, you spin the piston and ruin the seals.

I thought the purpose of using an inpact wrench was to spin only the nut and not the shaft. As the original poster stated, he is using an ordinary wrench and the whole shaft turns preventing him from getting the nut on.

Matt Romanowski · 09-14-2012, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I thought the purpose of using an inpact wrench was to spin only the nut and not the shaft. As the original poster stated, he is using an ordinary wrench and the whole shaft turns preventing him from getting the nut on.

You can't guarentee the shaft won't spin with an impact gun. And when it spins, it does so much faster. You have to hold the shaft and spin the nut. Koni (and most others) tell you not to use an impact gun.

Get this tool and you'll be all set Pelican Parts.com - Shock Absorber Tool