Replacing front ae86 shocks - Help on unscrewing the tops and strut screw. HOW?

[Wanabe_Garage]

Hi

I can't seem to take off the strut screw that houses the shock cartridge, what tool could I use to do this? I'm using like a pipe wrench becuase it has a big enough mouth but no luck, it can't grip it properly.

also, I have no idea how to unscrew the stock camber tops off, the shock keeps rotating. How do I do this?



thanks

[Hen is a total nutcase]

1 - Big special tool like a massive, flat, 8sided socket. I welded up a dodgy one once. Or pipe grips if you don't mind digging into the nut.

2 - Rattle gun, or if you don't care about the shocks, hold the shock shaft TIGHT with vice grips and get a socket on the nut (perfect Pick-a-part technique)

Hen

[RobertoX]

various ways but in a vice is good

big shifter

proper SST

teeth

[pursell]

As above... a bench vise is your friend :)

Clamp the top hat in the vice (don't overdo it) and
undo the nyloc nut with a normal socket. There should
be a flats on the piston rod that lock into the top hat
and stop the rod from turning.

Clamp the big nut on the top of the strut housing in
the vice, and then turn the strut housing. A length of
wood or a pinch bar wedged between the stub axle
and the strut will give you extra leverage.

Cheers... jondee86

[anastasios]

yea i use a vice

[AmyC]

Rattle gun to loosen while still in the car on the ground.

[Wanabe_Garage]

oh kool most of those things i don't have :o

ill try to borrow them.

thanks for the advice!

[Patric]

I had this problem before I built a workbench.
I took it to a suspension shop to do. and fit the new cartridge. They only charged me $10.

[parrot]

Stilsons for the strut insert retainer nut. If the springs are long enough to put good pressure against the strut top, immobilise the strut top by putting a socket bar or big screw driver through two of the strut top studs, then use a long bar on the strut insert nut. Done this a million times. Bear in mind though, that when you loosen the nut right off, point the strut in a direction in which the flying strut top won't do any damage, including your fingers.

If your springs are too short, you will need a rattle gun whilst trying to hold the strut piston.