What I thought would be a fun project and a relatively simple installation of a Weltmeister strut bar went wrong today. I am going to swallow my pride and tell you what happened. Maybe someone can suggest something to help me fix this before I bring it to the shop - which is what I should have done up front.

First thing needed was to remove the 22mm nut on top of the strut stud. I held the large brass washer tight and was able to get the nut to turn, but then the strut stud started spinning. No matter how hard I held the brass washer, the stud kept on spinning. I learned later that the tab on the brass washer (that fits into the keyhole on the strut stud) was deformed and would not hold the stud any longer. Since I had the nut half way off, I wrapped the stud in tape, then used vise grips to hold it still while I removed the nut.

So far so good. Then I discovered that the bodywork of the car was so close to the brass washer that I could not get it off the stud. After a while I had enough and decided to give up on the strut bar install and just put it all back together.

Since I knew the strut stud was spinning, back to the vise-grips to hold it while I got the nut about half way back on.

This is where I'm stuck: See the picture. The nut is at the top of the stud, I cannot grip the stud from the top and I cannot hold it under the nut. The brass washer tab is deformed, so that won't hold it steady. Now I have a strut that is not tightened down. And I cannot figure out how to stop the damn strut stud from spinning. I don't even understand what is spinning - isn't the f'ing thing bolted down below?

I figure I'm screwed and I'll have to bring it to the shop to save my stupid a**.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to stop the stud from spinning at this point? Is there some way to hold it from below? (I have not looked yet.)

If I need to bring it to the shop, what is going to happen when I drive it like this? The strut is not bolted down tight. It shouldn't come off since the nut is on the end, but I expect it will pull out and move the distance of the gap between the nut and the brass washer, right? Besides destroying the strut, will I do any other damage by driving it this way? (The shop is about 10 miles away.)

I cannot believe how I f'ed up something that sounded so simple at first.
Sorry for the long post, and I welcome any input you might have.

Thanks, Paul

 

does it not have an allen hole or slot at the top of the strut stud?

 

Some strut rods can accept an allen wrench on top from which you can counter hold. More often than not, an impact wrench, like the ones the tire shop uses to ruin your alloy lugs, will "vibrate" the nut until it is snug. I have known people to use the vice-grip method from under the fender if you jack the front wheel off the ground exposing the strut rod on some shocks. If the rod is covered by a tube (under fender) try holding the tube if it is turning with the rod.
Threre are a couple of different set-ups: some struts have the allen, some have a little flat stud that a special tool is supposed to fit, the impact may be your easiest sollution.
Others may chime in here with more help.

 

do you know someone with a impact gun .. it should zip off , the reason it stopped is due to the nylock.

after zippimg it off ( or you may be able to grab it underneath the nut with needle nose vice grips as it is not that tight. )

after the nut is off ( again ) , jack up that corner, you can then push the whole threaded shaft part down through the fender ( you are compressing the shock ) enough to lift off the damaged washer. You will find you can even compress it completely and swing it out from under the fender ( but line your fender well lip with painters mask and then duct tape to stop chipping if you catch it . Also be carefull of brake line .

Now that it is out you need a chaser ( tap and die set ) for the thread of the strut insert and clean up that thread , take your time and use lots of oil , working a little at a time.

Once that is cleaned up , put the strut back under the car , shove it through the hole put on your new washer and spin up your nut .

Don't worry , we have all been there . It is not the end of the world, and you wont need a shop. needle nose vice grips are cheap and you will keep them forever , and the tap and die set you could probabaly borrow , or you could try using a brand new nut of the right thread and working it slowly to clean up the threads.

Good luck

 

Yes impact gun here is your friend.

 

Thanks guys. <sigh> I can hear the bullhorn now: "You. Yes you with the tools, back away from the car. Now."

There is not an allen key at the top of the rod. There is a small slot the runs down the length of the rod and I assume the brass washer would have held it with channel locks or something, but not any longer...

I'm not set up with air tools or anything, so maybe I'll try and find an electric impact wrench that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. If I can get the damn nut to seat I'm calling it good.

 

An impact wrench is a good thing to have around. I'd not skimp too much on one. A robust impact, even an electric, can work on old suspension bolts, rear axle nuts, etc.

You're going to want it to get the nut tight. I'd not recommend the pliers or Visegrips on the stud any more. Maybe order a new washer before you snug it down. There is nothing below the fender to keep it from turning.

Don't beat yourself up, it happens, but now you'll know more about the strut mounting up top than many.

 

i wouldn't tighten it up now or your really gonna be screwed... UNDO it and put on a good washer. Then life will be a lot easier.

 

Paul,

Maybe you can try to jam the stud with a "stubby " screwdriver.You might have to grind it down so that the tip fits in the slot of the shock stud and if you're lucky when you turn the nut to loosen it the stubby will jam against the inside of the fender and stop the shaft from turning !

It's worth a try,what's the price of a screwdriver ...

By the way,i installed a Weltmeister bar in my 89 just a few weeks ago,piece of cake with an air impact gun,
even an electric one would be good to have around !

Cheers !
Phil

 

Impact is the best solution. Get yourself a nice 3/8" cordless one.

You can also use channel-locks or vice grips to grab the rod at the very top, where you know the strut will not compress to and protect the rod with a piece of old serpentine style belt. Those rubber belts are very tough and will stand up to the jaws of a vise grip.

You can also back the nut off by melting the nylon off with a butane torch, that should "unlcok" the nut. Then take the car to a professional . Just kidding. Good luck.

 

Wildcat, I actually thought of that and even tried to jam a few different sized screwdrivers against the notch in the stud, but I couldn't get that to work either.

Iceman - I hear you, but at this point I just want to get the nut tightened down so I can drive the car. I had the Bilsteins replaced recently so I won't need to replace them again for quite a while. I should have had the strut bar put on at the same time but I didn't think of it then.

Tango - I'm online now checking out cordless vs. corded so I can get one tomorrow.

If I can pick up an impact wrench tomorrow and a 22mm impact socket, I'm going to try and tighten her up. If I make it worse I'll just get the car to the shop where they can save me from myself.

I'm still quite discouraged right now... The directions simply said "Remove the nut from the strut stud". How hard can that be?

 

A lot of guys at the track swear by the pep boys cordless.

 

Paul,

There's nothing to be discouraged about,the first thing you need to do is to pick up a new tab washer for your shock and at worse grind off or cut off the nut,then with a new tab washer you'll be good to go.

Not your fault,blame it on the bad washer ... lol
We've all experienced the bolt from Hell at one point !!!

Good luck
Phil

 

Paul listeb to Phill ,, you try to whip that thing on without replacing the washer and the next guy ( or your mechanic) is realy gonna hate you when all it takes is a washer and a few extra minutes now ..

 

+1
Get the nut off, drop the strut a bit, and replace the washer.
You will get great satisfaction out of conquering your dilemma, and save some dough to boot. :-)
You - 1 Car - 0 HA!

"What don't kill ya makes ya more strong" Metallica.