whats the secret to remove this nut (front shock)

[MR 325]

Just found out the easiest way is to
1. jack up the strut so pressure prevents the shock from turning
2. loosen the nut
3. release jack SLOWLY

Well, that's not the easiest way.

The correct way to do it is pulling the front strut assembly from the car, compressing the spring, and using an impact.

[KenC]

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

Exactly. It's not that much tension.

Getting stock springs back on is the only time you need one.

[Delraco]

- Remove strut assembly
- Aim strut mount at tree
- Impact gun
- EFF that tree.

It's the hondabro way!

Haha, should definitely consider a spring compressor.

[Ian F]

In a pinch, I've used ratchet straps to compress the spring. Releasing is scary as shit and only marginally safe with the spring clamped in a vice so I wouldn't really recommend it, but it worked. Some guys on a mini forum used the "buddy method" - with the base of the strut on the ground, one guy puts all his weight on the strut mount while his buddy releases the nut, either manually or with an impact. As mentioned, its a lot easier when the new springs are lower and shorter and don't need to compressed as much, if at all.

I now have a proper spring compressor. A OTC Strut Tamer, in fact, since I do a fair amount of struts and coilover shocks other than the e30.

To be honest, in the interest of safety, if you need springs swapped, can bring the struts to me sans car (since my garage is usually occupied by something broken), and live in the philly area, give me a shout. I'd rather spend a few minutes swapping springs than read about someone getting hurt.

[gverelli]

Just did this to a friends r32, held it in place with the vice, got the nut with the impact. 5min total.

[Smelser]

just another two cents. Get even a cheap set of strutspring compressors. I had a friend build a UNIVERSAL strut compressor. With a proper impact and NOT your crappy tire cheapo with 60psi on it. You can almost always break the nut free and wind it off. It usually requires "burping' the impact, wich means SEVERAL QUICK short shots of the trigger to get it to break and wind off.

If you want to do it with the spring out and on the ground, its your funeral, litterally, it doesnt take much to catch you in the face in the right way and it IS your funeral. figure the rate of the spring, and that is how much pressure is being held back by that nut!!

[cabriodster87]

That's a cool set of Sockets.

[nando]

- Remove strut assembly
- Aim strut mount at tree
- Impact gun
- EFF that tree.

It's the hondabro way!

Haha, should definitely consider a spring compressor.

Actually, imo this is the safest way. You'd be surprised how little the thing will move when it pops free. I stand on the spring with the strut laying in the grass - takes a few seconds each with the impact and there is really no danger.

And really, when you compress the spring for removal, you create *far* more potential energy to explode in your face than the few dead coils that are compressed normally. Spring compressors can suck it..

[nando]

just another two cents. Get even a cheap set of strutspring compressors. I had a friend build a UNIVERSAL strut compressor. With a proper impact and NOT your crappy tire cheapo with 60psi on it. You can almost always break the nut free and wind it off. It usually requires "burping' the impact, wich means SEVERAL QUICK short shots of the trigger to get it to break and wind off.

If you want to do it with the spring out and on the ground, its your funeral, litterally, it doesnt take much to catch you in the face in the right way and it IS your funeral. figure the rate of the spring, and that is how much pressure is being held back by that nut!!

How is it going to hit you in the face with the spring laying flat and you standing on it? :|

Also, the coils that are compressed on the strut are dead coils, the force is much lower than the full spring rate, and certainly way lower than if you compress the spring further.