Strut top hat removal

[big-ben-007]

Basiclly I brought some TRD lowering springs off Mr.Rev (thanks btw)

Got the left rear strut off and proceded to take the top hat off......

Now I know I've got to compress the springs etc. done all that but the actual nut to get the top hat off is being a bit of a pain.

When I turn it, it turns the shaft, thats why the shaft usually has a flatspot for vice-grips or some other thing to hold it to clap onto, the only flatspot I can see/find on my strut is at the end of the thread right by the end nut and its so small nothing we have is small enough to be able to get enough of a grip to stop the shaft from moving when I try and loosen the nut

Any suggestion would be helpful

PS: The car is a 91' Ae101 Levin GTZ Superstrut

[2LTR Rona]

loosening it a bit BEFORE you remove the strut from the car is usually the way to go, then its a piece of cake one out

But that doesn't help this situation.....

You will have to try and relocate the shock shaft back in to the top hat, there is a notched out portion that will line up and then proceed to remove the nut.

If you have an impact gun & socket handy it makes this job a piece of cake.

[big-ben-007]

Hmm I may just chuck it back in the car with 1 bolt at the bottom, two at the top at try and loosen from there, if not I'll go down to dads work and 'borrow' a rattle gun

[Distrb]

other option i've used on occasion is use some vice grips wound up as tight as you can on the shock shaft. Just make sure you wrap a reasonable cloth round the shock shaft so you dont damage it with the vice grips.

the nut might be a little tight for this method though

[bbq1988]

We gave mine a tap with a rubber mallet, worked a treat

[big-ben-007]

Just partially bolted the strut back in and loosend the nut and off she came off easier than a drunk girls pants at her 18th

Thanks to all

[frost]

rattle gun is the best/easiest if you have access to one

[ChaosAD]

Just dont use the rattle gun on adjustable shocks such as koni.

[Cakky]

yeah, done mine last night, pretty easy if you use a rattle gun, but you seem to have it figured, my right bumpstop was in a hundred pieces haha, bit of a pita at 8.00pm at night when you can't really go buy a new one and you gotta get your car outta your mates garage hahaha

[Mr Revhead]

remember for the next time, loosen first
by far the easisest option! if you dont have air tools

[big-ben-007]

My hast to get my car low cost me as I couldnt get it done before work

Oh well

[Cakky]

just replaced my bumpstops and boots, broke a stud on the top hat *punches self in head* what a nightmare..