How important is this washer i forgot to reinstall??

[90pioneer]

I just reassmbled the entire passenger side strut assemble, and installed it back in the car, ready for brakes to be put on.

There is a large grade 8 washer that sits under the strut tower between the plate that goes on the spring and and the plate that mounts the strut in the tower.

Do I really need to disasseble everything again to put that washer in? Or will it not be a big deal??

[kway]

If I'm understanding your description properly, then yes it's important. The strut bearing isn't going to want to turn without it.

[LJ851]

^I agree.

[90pioneer]

If I'm understanding your description properly, then yes it's important. The strut bearing isn't going to want to turn without it.

Yeah I noticed it was very difficult to turn when I was trying to line up the three bolt holes.

Dammit.

[kway]

Sorry dude. If you've got lowering springs you *might* be able to sneak it in by undoing the nut on the strut and lowering it down without taking the whole assembly out of the car, but don't take my word for it, that's at your own risk.

I definitely wouldn't attempt it with stock springs.

[jlevie]

You absolutely must have that washer in place.

[90pioneer]

Well I got the damn thing back out of the car. Now I can't get the strut nut off. I used a pipe wrench to hold the strut when I tightened it the first time but now I cannot get the wrench to grab on for the life of me. Suggestions?

I do not have any impact tools.

[Gerta]

I have an electric impact u can borrow ... U close to Seattle?

[agile30]

Put it back on I lost mine and regret it after a right turhn it will continue to pull right until I make a left turn. It gets old very fast. I know it sucks to do it all over but its not worth it to leave it off.

[mr ilia]

Well I got the damn thing back out of the car. Now I can't get the strut nut off. I used a pipe wrench to hold the strut when I tightened it the first time but now I cannot get the wrench to grab on for the life of me. Suggestions?

I do not have any impact tools.

I had exactly same issue as you did, the washed was not properly installed and i could not get the top nut out. I tried all I could with hand tools and still could not get the nut off....At the end of the day I said to myself "fuck it!" and proceed to the back up plan that I hoped to avoid....I grabbed on the very top of the shock rod with the monkey wrench to keep it from spinning when turning on the nut. It did help and I fel happy at the end.

[gp.plus]

I have a 17 mm socket that I welded a nut to the top so I can turn it with a wrench and stick an Allen through the top to hold back the shaft.

[slammin.e28]

I have a 17 mm socket that I welded a nut to the top so I can turn it with a wrench and stick an Allen through the top to hold back the shaft.

They make a cool little tool like that. Trying to find the pic as we post....

EDIT:



BOOM!

Not too expensive as I recall. Around $26. It'd pay for itself in very short order around my place.

[e30jake]

Now that I'm reading this I don't think I put this washer on my IX when I did the front struts last weekend. Would not having the washer cause the car to not want to straighten out after turns? And is it going to do any damage to keep driving the car without it until I have time to fix it?

[Devil Inc]

I made something similar to that, but it involved using a spark plug socket with a 1/4" drive socket and extension to get it done.

[gp.plus]

Yes it will cause your steering to not return, the washer is the surface the bearing rides on, so you could conceivably wear out your strut bearings prematurely w/o the washer.