need help fast.

[mitch500]

im putting in my h&r sports and my bilstein sports and ive ran into some problems for the fronts. ive put my new strut in and compressed the spring with the spring compressor, but im having difficulties torqueing the top nut un the strut how do you do it with out the strut spinning? also im using camber plates.
1. do i compress the spring and thread the top nut hand tight, then loosen off the compressor and then torque from there?
or
2. do i compress the spring put the top spring perch on and then camber plate and torque to spec then release the compressor?

also i tried to torque it with the compressor off but the nut keeps spining all the was to to bottom i think and the camber plate gets really tight, i thought the bearing was supposed to spin freely? i dont no im frustrated.

anyways i need help quick because i rented the spring compreesor for 3 days and i have to return on the due date to get my money back.

thank you
-Mitch/.

[jlevie]

Compress the spring and assemble the strut. The shock rod has provisions for counter holding the rod while tightening the nut.

[mitch500]

Compress the spring and assemble the strut. The shock rod has provisions for counter holding the rod while tightening the nut.

yes it does have provisions but on the top where i have a camber plate which i have to use a deep socket to get down into the bearing houseing to tighten it so i cant hold the rod. what i did was clamp the rod under the upper spring perch which was a bitch. all i need to know is when you bolt down the top strut nut to the camber plate bearing/ houseing is it supposed to spin freely? because mine barley spins and it getting really tight and my torque wrench hasnt clicked yet.

[browntown]

impact carefully?

[mitch500]

anyone with a answer to the camber plate question

[Cooper]

yes, the camber plate should spin, it's the rotation point when you turn the wheels. You need to look at how the top nut and the bottom of the strut contact the bearing, it might require a bushing/shim to contact the bearing and not the plate itself to free up the bearing. I have machined a shoulder on the top nut in the past.. Think of a nut machined to almost look like a T

[Hick]

Spin freely.

There is a special tool used to torque the bolt. It allows the torque wrench to be offset via a bracket and an 8mm deep well socket to pass through the 17mm [i think] in order to hold the shock rod from turning.

[mitch500]

thanks guys, i do have a couple washer that cam with the camber plates i will tryand get back to you/. thank s for the help.

[Hick]

you may of put too many washers on there

[Turf1600]

Why not hold the strut with giant pliers and a towel and impact it?

[Hick]

Because it if mars the surface of the strut it can damage the seals. And thats not an accurate torque setting which can damage the nut and the strut rod.

YES, i know it wont reach the top of the travel but thats not the ideal way of doing it.

[Turf1600]

Because it if mars the surface of the strut it can damage the seals. And thats not an accurate torque setting which can damage the nut and the strut rod.

YES, i know it wont reach the top of the travel but thats not the idea way of doing it.

That's what the towel is for.

[Hick]

the towel has built in torque settings?

[Turf1600]

the towel has built in torque settings?

Wrap the towel around the strut tube to keep it from getting scratched. Go easy on the impact then hit it with the torque wrench. the tube should stay put once you get it started.

[Hick]

thats what i want to do with my $119 brand new bilsteins :roll: Go put some sweet M3 springs on your ride

DO IT RIGHT