Strut bearing Nut

[Beej '86 325es]

I've got the car on the ground, and using an impact gun to tighten the nut on top of the strut bearing, but it just keeps spinning the shaft.

Any other ideas? I really don't want to clamp anything to the shaft...

[e9nine]

I wouldn't use an air tool to tighten that puppy. Loosen maybe but I have done this several times and never used air tools.

I use a dry rag and clamp the shaft when it decides to spin on me. Make it too tight and next time when you have to take it off, you'll go through the same ordeal.

Good luck.

[rs4pro3]

What I use is the right size spark plug socket, down the center I slip a 1/4 drive 8mm socket and extension, then use a ratchet to keep the insert still. Then slide a large open ended wrench onto the outside of the spark plug socket and tighten.

[Beej '86 325es]

Thanks man, I took the idea of the spark plug tool and basically just vice gripped to a 22mm deep socket, with an 11mm 1/4" drive socket through the 22mm socket. Bentley calls for some absurd torque value, like 90 ft-lbs or something, which hardly seems necessary to me when the bolt is only seeing tension, and no shear forces.

Thanks!

[Beej '86 325es]

I can't find it now, but somewhere out there, there is a tool. It is a 22mm socket, but the wall of the socket is open 2/3 around, so you can fit another socket at the center.

[eighteight325is]

Owing to the fact that I was just working on my suspension this past weekend I'll add to rs4pro3's excellent description of the spark plug technique that a 3/4 inch spark plug socket works perfectly as it is almost exactly 19mm and likely easier to find than an actual 19mm plug socket (if such a thing exists)

I saw a socket set with a hole through the middle of the handle while at Sears the next day, but this is such a great trick why bother.