whats the secret to remove this nut (front shock)

[flash 23]

spring compressors aren't needed, just lay it on the ground on its side pointing away from you so when it POPS you dont get hit lol

reading is fundamental. im just saying if u want to go the spring compressor route, u may also. :read:

;)

[immajackuup]

Impact gun.

that or this

[io_RobbieRodgers]

The truly easiest way to remove these with hand tools, for future reference, is with the proper socket and two vice grips. Good vice grips. When I did my second suspension swap in December my vice grips were suddenly missing, and I spent two hours on each side with a P.O.S. Harbor Freight needlenose and a box-wrench. Miserable business.

Anyways, slip the socket over the nut, then open up one of your vice grips and clamp it around the socket. This leaves the top of the nut open to put the appropriate sized allen-key. It's advisable to do this with the strut out of the car. Twist the vice-grip and allen key in opposite directions If the allen key strips, which is very probable, use your back up pair of vicegrips around the outside of the spindle.

On the rear struts, you will need the second pair of vice-grips because the spindle doesn't use an allen key.

[seatown88]

impact wrench works great, 5 seconds each side(assemblies removed from the car, using spring compressors to remove spring pressure). It's the way I prefer to remove them. That being said they probably could be removed on the car with a jack compressing the assembly, and slowing lowering the jack when the nut is removed.

io RobbieRodgers is right though, the engineered "proper" way to remove the nut is using hand tools and hold the strut shaft with an allen while spinning the nut. There are socket sets that make it easier(pictured above) that using vice grips, but vice grips are a cheaper solution and worth the struggles if you are only doing this once or twice.

[5Toes]

Wrap towel around vise grip jaws and around the shaft of the shock, spin top nut

You need a deep socket too by the way. 19mm

[borrihong]

I put the whole assembly on the ground and held it with my foot. It eventually came off.

yep, lay it on the ground, hit it with the impact. hold it like your going to shoot it with a gun, it WILL kick.

[b*saint]

impact gun or the right tool.

[Simon S]

[jeffnhiscars]

I tried that but mine has a hex head. The only socket I had that would fit through the 1\2 socket was 1/4 drive 8mm deep and it split (thank you Crafstman for your warranty).

In the end I used a socket and ratchet on top and held the very top of the strut shaft with a pipe wrench, spring compressor in place.

[deutschman]

Impact gun.

But the vice grip method will work as well. Just make sure you have the spring compressed or it will hit you in the face and brake all your teeth and be a pain to get back in.

[nrubenstein]

MAKE SURE you have a spring compresser holding the springs. Otherwise when that nut comes off they will FLY apart, and you could injure yourself.

Yeah, you need to be a little bit cautious, but I don't waste my time with spring compressors for removal.

[andrewm]

I used to know a guy who did it without a spring compressor.

[b*saint]

He died?

[idanity]

I used to know a guy who did it without a spring compressor.

He died?

or, is he a girl now ?

[BrassDrummer]

I ask Chuck Norris to remove it for me.