HELP, strut/spring assembly

[Toahk]

I cannot get the Piston Rod Lock Nut off, it just spins with the shock absorber. How do you get it off? There is a little notch at the top I put a cresent wrench on but it looked like it were stripping it. Any help would be appreciated.

[NISTECH]

try sticking a long screw driver between the mount plate bolts to hold it from spinning. if it still spins your going to need something to grab the strut shaft near the top to keep it from spinning. make sure you have the spring compressed securly when doing this

[encasemyheart]

I use an adjustable wrench to grab the shock itself and then loosen the top bolt with a socket and a sharp blow to get it broken. It's best to have 2 people, but I have done it with one.

[WingsNThangs]

You're dealing with the rear shock, right? Yeah, i know that nut is VERY tight and it is unlikely that human strength alone will keep it from moving, especially if it has never been removed. If you rely on human strength to hold the shock in place, you may strip the shock because the method of clamping is not still enough.

try sticking a long screw driver between the mount plate bolts to hold it from spinning. if it still spins your going to need something to grab the strut shaft near the top to keep it from spinning. make sure you have the spring compressed securly when doing this

Instead of using a long screwdriver, use an adjustable wrench, one about 6 inches long. The wrench should clamp onto the top of the shock absorber while the mount plate studs (there should be 2 per shock) keep the handle from going anywhere. Getting the nut off by using this method should be relatively easy. With the help of your wrench, only one person is needed for this method.

Another method is to use a vice clamp. It gets the job done, but more force is needed. I used both methods and i prefer the adjustable wrench method much more. Good luck.

[Toahk]

I used brute strength with a cresent wrench at top and a 14mm open end wrench and got it off, thanks for the suggestions guys.

[Touchdown038]

I tried to use brute strength and sheared off the top part above the threads... am I screwed?

[NISTECH]

if there is enough threads left to fill the entire width of the nut no. but you may need to clean up the top portion of the threads to be able to thread on a new nut.

[Touchdown038]

Aren't I going to use a new nut on top of a new piston rod, so this one doesn't really matter?

[Touchdown038]

Ok, I ended up taking it to a shop and they got the assembly all together with the new struts. My question is, how do you get the rear strut back into the rear shaft? I've tried jacking it up from the buttom but it just jacks up the whole car.