Ok - what's the best way to tighten the top nut on the strut insert?

[jeffnhiscars]

60 ft/lbs should be more than plenty. It's not like that nut holds the entire car together. As long as it doesn't make noise it's good. If you guys are stripping the hex broach on the top shaft, you are tightening it way too much.

Spec is either 19 or 34ft/lbs (I dont recall which) so it doesnt take much to hold it in place. It is definitely not 60.

[cabin]

Pass-thru ratchet, if you don't have access to air tools.

[acolella76]

you're probably safer with an electric - mine can only do about 60 ft/lbs which is enough to hold it on and isn't going to damage it.

60 ft/lbs should be more than plenty. It's not like that nut holds the entire car together. As long as it doesn't make noise it's good. If you guys are stripping the hex broach on the top shaft, you are tightening it way too much.

[MR 325]

make sure the car is on the ground, then pull out the impact gun and get the job done.

I do mine without the strut housing even in the car.

I've NEVER once used the allen to keep one from rotating either.

You guys are really over-complicating this.

[nando]

19mm = 3/4", or close enough to it with a 6-point socket

Use a standard sparkplug socket like this:


Insert the allen wrench down the middle, but a box end wrench on the socket and tighten it right up.

that's a good idea actually. I have like 10 different spark plug sockets I could try. But some don't have an allen wrench at the end. mine have like a 7mm hex knob which obviously isn't going to hold much torque. Which is why I reccomend the electric - you don't need them all that tight anyway.

[nando]

you're probably safer with an electric - mine can only do about 60 ft/lbs which is enough to hold it on and isn't going to damage it.

[jeffnhiscars]

well, I don't see how that's relevant to actually using an impact, since they denied your claim without even seeing anything. unless you do something really stupid you're not going to shear the shaft off (unless it's just going to break anyway). :p

I wont say Ive never done anything stupid...why just the other day I....well..never mind that ;)

I had it on the ground with channel locks on the tube, had the nut half off when it started getting harder to turn. I tightened it half a turn in case there was some grit in there then started to unscrew it again when it sheered. Not a great deal of force so I assumed it was defective and that I would have no issue making a claim. I didnt see that as stupid but Bilstein insisted it was nothing on them. Trust me I did not just accept their stand.

Next time I'll find a noob with an impact gun since clearly thats all thats needed to get the nut off

[Just Scott]

19mm = 3/4", or close enough to it with a 6-point socket

Use a standard sparkplug socket like this:



Insert the allen wrench down the middle, but a box end wrench on the socket and tighten it right up.

[rturbo 930]

Last few times I've had the front end apart I've held a deep socket with either channel locks or a pair of vice grips and an allen key on the strut shaft. Just make sure it's seated as far as it can in the strut shaft otherwise you could strip it.

+1

Exactly what I did. Got it plenty tight, and didn't strip anything. IMO, if you're stripping something, you're using the wrong tool, or trying to get it WAY too tight.

[Eric]

Last few times I've had the front end apart I've held a deep socket with either channel locks or a pair of vice grips and an allen key on the strut shaft. Just make sure it's seated as far as it can in the strut shaft otherwise you could strip it.

But if you have access to an electric impact, that'd be much easier.

+1

This guy in the middle to hold the shaft from spinning


and this


being gripped by this for leverage.




If you get a real life t-handle or a long hex socket set (I have the set pictured below) then you can use a deep socket and vice grips without any problems. trying to get it done with regular cheapo allen wrenches is a major PITA!

I have these, great for getting out brake rotor set screws too.

[iansane]

Last few times I've had the front end apart I've held a deep socket with either channel locks or a pair of vice grips and an allen key on the strut shaft. Just make sure it's seated as far as it can in the strut shaft otherwise you could strip it.

But if you have access to an electric impact, that'd be much easier.

[nando]

I didnt send them anything. The threaded tip of the strut tube sheered while the nut was being removed and they decided it had been installed with an impact gun and denied the claim. I went around the block with them for a month and they never even saw the broken tip & nut.

Logically if the tube was damaged on install it would not have waited a decade to come apart but there was no talking to them on this. If it sheers they will tell you its impact damage.

In the end they cut me a deal to rebuild it and got it back to me in a week. It was not a battle I was going to win.

well, I don't see how that's relevant to actually using an impact, since they denied your claim without even seeing anything. unless you do something really stupid you're not going to shear the shaft off (unless it's just going to break anyway). :p

[mr.vang]

make sure the car is on the ground, then pull out the impact gun and get the job done.

[jeffnhiscars]

How would they know? Why would you send them the 17mm nut with your struts?

an electric impact is enough to get them tight and it's not going to dent the nut anyway.

I didnt send them anything. The threaded tip of the strut tube sheered while the nut was being removed and they decided it had been installed with an impact gun and denied the claim. I went around the block with them for a month and they never even saw the broken tip & nut.

Logically if the tube was damaged on install it would not have waited a decade to come apart but there was no talking to them on this. If it sheers they will tell you its impact damage.

In the end they cut me a deal to rebuild it and got it back to me in a week. It was not a battle I was going to win.

[nando]

FYI an impact wrench will leave a signature on the nut and that will void your warranty (AMHIK)

How would they know? Why would you send them the 17mm nut with your struts?

an electric impact is enough to get them tight and it's not going to dent the nut anyway.