Top strut nut has stripped threads - how to remove it? (w/ pictures)

[RawToast]

There is always a way, but I would get that strut off the car and continue on a work bench. Despite my prior warning about properly compressing the spring, at this stage you may actually want to back off the compressor ever so slightly until it JUST BARELY touches the top hat. While the spring has the potential to strip the rest of your threads, if you are EXTREMELY DELICATE, it could also put just enough upward pressure on the nut for it to catch a good thread as you turn it.

Be real careful of the spring and as with any internet suggestions its up to you to use good judgement since you are the hands on guy

UPDATE:

Tried to crack the nut with a chisel and hammer... It's not cracking - it's folding on top and layering...

[jeffnhiscars]

So there's no way of removing it?

There is always a way, but I would get that strut off the car and continue on a work bench. Despite my prior warning about properly compressing the spring, at this stage you may actually want to back off the compressor ever so slightly until it JUST BARELY touches the top hat. While the spring has the potential to strip the rest of your threads, if you are EXTREMELY DELICATE, it could also put just enough upward pressure on the nut for it to catch a good thread as you turn it.

Be real careful of the spring and as with any internet suggestions its up to you to use good judgement since you are the hands on guy

[RawToast]

If you try to remove that nut without properly decompressing the spring you WILL strip the threads off the strut and wind up sending it to Bilstein for a replacement (ask me how I know)...and I held the shaft by standing on a pair of channel locks while removing the nut with a ratchet

So there's no way of removing it?

[jeffnhiscars]

If you try to remove that nut without properly decompressing the spring you WILL strip the threads off the strut and wind up sending it to Bilstein for a replacement (ask me how I know)...and I held the shaft by standing on a pair of channel locks while removing the nut with a ratchet

[RawToast]

home depot doesn't always have markings on their nuts and that always worries me. bolts, yes but nuts, no. I'd rather go to a shop that carries nuts with markings so I'm positive what the hardness rating is.

i think OP should try the thru socket with the allen wrench and a spring compressor to take tension off of the bolt before resorting to cutting that thing up. it has NOT been confirmed that the nut is stripped yet.

I'm thinking about just getting new coilovers (because I got the JOMS just for a temporary set up).

[glnr13]

I dont know about the local hardware stores near you, but around here everything I seem to find is either ISO 8.8 (grade 5) or 10.9 (grade 8 ) I highly doubt the dealer/napa/autozone is using anything stronger.

home depot doesn't always have markings on their nuts and that always worries me. bolts, yes but nuts, no. I'd rather go to a shop that carries nuts with markings so I'm positive what the hardness rating is.

i think OP should try the thru socket with the allen wrench and a spring compressor to take tension off of the bolt before resorting to cutting that thing up. it has NOT been confirmed that the nut is stripped yet.

[dothadance]

This don't know why everyone trys to clamp the strut tube.

Anyways if the thread is indead stuffed, I would try to clamp it with vise grips and try to pull it up as you turn it.

i think what he's saying is clamp the vise grips to the top nut and pull up on them as you're turning the nut.

[LJ851]

I think you may need to just cut the nut, if you don't have access to pass-through ratchets :(

I think he does have access.


Socket + vicegrips = pass-through wrench

It's like magic!

[ScHpAnKy]

ScHpAnKy are you Sean? I think I ran into you at JG Technik's little shindig. I did a rendition of this by sticking a screw driver in between the nut and the housing and turning the strut.. nothing :\. Even tried a torch and impact gun

yes, what's your name? or rather, what car?

I think you may need to just cut the nut, if you don't have access to pass-through ratchets :(

[ross1]

I still supect the strut shaft is spinning. A vise grip doesn't have a prayer of a chance biting well into the hard steel shaft and it's grip will be easily overcome by whatever torque you apply at the nut.
Even if the threads are buggered the spring pressure against the nut will make it want to grab. If it were completely F'ed the strut wouldn't stay together.
The through sockets with an external hex and a hex driver ought to get this apart.
Good luck, hope this helps.

[nomansland92]

Those hollow sockets work great because you can put a allen key thought the middle and still us a ratchet but in your case that's not going to help you. Your best best is probably going to be cutting but very carefully so you don't mess up the thread on the shock.
Also, I'm not sure if its just that picture or what but where are you spring compressors? your gonna want to have those puppies on once that nut is off.

[RawToast]

This don't know why everyone trys to clamp the strut tube.

Anyways if the thread is indead stuffed, I would try to clamp it with vise grips and try to pull it up as you turn it.

Already tried:

[Massimo]

Use one of theese

And one of theese

And one of theese

This don't know why everyone trys to clamp the strut tube.

Anyways if the thread is indead stuffed, I would try to clamp it with vise grips and try to pull it up as you turn it.

[noid]

I was talking about the grade of nuts (8.8 and 10.9) not about what the others were talking about above. I am not sure how hollow sockets are going to help your situation.

[RawToast]

I dont know about the local hardware stores near you, but around here everything I seem to find is either ISO 8.8 (grade 5) or 10.9 (grade 8 ) I highly doubt the dealer/napa/autozone is using anything stronger.

We've got a Harbor Freight down here but what do they do?