Top Strut Nut stuck.....How do I remove it???

[howiee]

Hi Everyone, Searched around couldn't find any solution. Anyone have a sugestion on how to loosen off the top nut from my Boge strut?



I've tried threading in a bolt to the center of the shaft to hold it from spinning but that still doesn't get me enough torque to break loose the nut.

Any ideas?

[Joe Bob]

BIG pair of channel locks to hold the gold washer. Air gun for the nut.

[howiee]

So the BIG gold washer is attached to the shaft and keeps it from turning?

Sounds to easy, I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[911pcars]

Try to reduce damage to this area using desparate DIY methods. Is the 911 mobile? If so, take vehicle and socket to the nearest repair facility and ask the tech to loosen with his air impact gun after soaking threads with Kroil or equivalent, then tighten only enough to get you home. Ask about the surcharge. Most garages will say no problem, but exchange with cash and/or 6-pack.

Apply a bit of anti-seize to the threads upon reassembly.

Sherwood

[HarryD]

Howiee:

The big washer has a tang (tooth) that engages the slot in the bolt that you can see on the right side of the top stud. Like stated above, use a pair of channel locks to hold the washer while you attempt to turn the nut. If you cannot do it with the tools you have at home, 911pcars has a very good suggestion. Before I got my air compressor and impact wrench, I would go to the nearby service garage and ask for the same thing. Most times no money was requested nor taken when offered.

[howiee]

Car is stuck indoors for at least a few more weeks so I'm stuck doing it myself.
Winter sucks so I'm trying to get her ready for when the snow is all gone.

I'll try the channel locks tomorrow and let you all know how it went.

Any more ideas would be great eh.

cheers

[bfunke]

Be careful with the Channel Locks. I'd first try putting weight on wheels and using an air impact wrench. That usually spins off the nuts.

[schumicat]

get an adjustable spanner wrench to hold the washer. it has a little nub that fits in the notch in the washer. it looks kind of like the fan pulley holder in factory toolkit, but adjustable.

[johnnywishbone]

this is an adjustable pin spanner. the same thing with a hook is a hook spanner.
not channel locks, vise grips if you're alone. but.
i would hit your problem with a grinder and replace it all with new.

[DRACO A5OG]

Place a piece thick gauged metal against the fender seam where the rubber seal is and place a 14mm socket ( preferably very short and wide socket ) with the open end ready to catch that notch when you start removing the strut nut.

Be VERY VERY Careful and patient and insure the piece of metal is nice a sturdy as not to damage the fender where the rubber seal sit. Ask me how I know.

First time I did this, I did not use the piece of metal.

Luckily, it did not damage it too bad and I used the mallet to tap it back, all good now.

When you are ready to torque it down use the same piece of metal and socket on the other side. Basically using the piece of metal to have a more wider force distribution, Hope that makes sense. Without the metal it will focus all the force to one point on the fender and damage it.

Jim

[howiee]

Thanks For the idea Jim,

I don't have a piece of metal but I do have a piece of solid Oak that I'll try it with.

I'll take some pics and report back later on my progress.

[village idiot]

Are you going to re-use the strut?? If not I would just split the nut using a Dremel or other cut-off wheel. If you're careful you may still be able to re-use the strut and just replace the nut.

[Wil Ferch]

Hmmm... nobody so far mentioned that BEFORE you do all this...look carefully at the botom of the nut and see if there is a sheet metal washer UNDERNEATH that sticks out a bit radially, and has one-side bent-up against the one of the bolt's "flat" sides. It's kinda a lock washer so BEND THIS DOWN flat...first.

Maybe nobody mentioned it because its obvious....but if you don't look real close it can be easily missed and maybe is not so obvious afterall. I think I see such a puppy on your orginal picture ...and it does seem "folded-up" on the nut-flat that faces the fender, but it also looks a bit mangled.

[howiee]

Haven't had a chance to tackle it yet because I woke up to this....
We had rain all day yesterday and I guess it turned to this over night.

As luck would have it I ran out of gas for the snowblower and the plow went by, so a little manual labour is in order.

Thanks for the heads up Wil, I did see the washer and it is already bent back down.

Any more suggestions before I finish my driveway and tackle this project would be greatly appreciated.

[HarryD]

If you are going the Channel lock (or pipe wrench route), cover the jaws in a few layers of duct tape to prevent marring the washer.

Remember, Rightee tightey, lefty loosey.

[turbo nut]

Another good tip is to take some wide masking tape and run it around the wheel well arch. It can prevent scrapping the paint on the fender.