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View Full Version : Removing lock nut from strut assembly...

TurDz
11-19-2005, 03:40 PM
The lock nut on the top of the AGX's (w/ RSR Down Springs) won't come off, even after the spring being compressed well.

I know the piston shaft assembly and the top seat will spin, and I try my best to hold it down, but it's far too tight, even with two people.

I don't have any kind of mechanical advantage. I tried WD-40, but not PB Blaster yet. No luck.

I just want to know from all of your experiences if it is normal for the nut to be so tight? iirc the bolt was previously tightened with an impact wrench when first assembled 2-3 years ago.
projectRDM
11-19-2005, 04:38 PM
Impact is the best way to get it off. You can grip the shaft with a rag and vicegrips enough to hold it and break the nut loose, but if it's seen any corrosion it will require more force than you're willing to put manually.
RightWheelDrive
11-19-2005, 10:14 PM
Yup, vise grips to the shaft. Not the regular clamp one but the one with concentric circles that go into each other. Thats what I had to do to remove my 10+ year old original shocks from my springs. They were on really really tight. If you don't have them, let me know and I can bring them up to Davis and help you out. Good Luck.
pr240sx
11-21-2005, 07:07 AM
I hope that you will NOT reuse those struts.
Try expanding the spring and LOOSEN not REMOVE the nut.
As for spring isolators (in your sig) use rubber hose.
TurDz
11-21-2005, 01:33 PM
Yeah, I was thinking of using vinyl tubing for refrigeration systems from a hardware store.

What do you mean "NOT reuse those struts"? I just want to clean up a lot of dirt and grit all over the strut perches, and add some isolators to make the car a bit quieter.
OptionZero
11-21-2005, 01:35 PM
he might mean not to re-use the nut/bolt.
Muzzy
11-21-2005, 02:15 PM
nah...wut i did was decompress the spring(since i coudnt do it with it compressed) and placed the spring and plate in a vice so it wouldnt turn. then i jus pulled on the nut with my breaker bar and the nut loosened..tada

did it for both (fronts)
TurDz
11-21-2005, 06:36 PM
nah...wut i did was decompress the spring(since i coudnt do it with it compressed) and placed the spring and plate in a vice so it wouldnt turn. then i jus pulled on the nut with my breaker bar and the nut loosened..tada

did it for both (fronts)


hmm, that's a smart way, next time I'll try that.

RightWheelDrive helped me out today and his method of removal was pretty much perfect. Special tooth vice grip that went around the shaft, then use a breaker bar to remove the nut.

One was stubborn...after some ingenius logic we finally got it off. thanks again!