2000 v70xc Getting top nut off strut??

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 27 Jun 2015, 10:25

Changing struts (170k miles, about time). I have the strut out and the spring compressed, but I cannot get the top nut off the shock part. The entire assembly rotates. The top of the shock piston is just cylinder with two flat spots and I can't get a tight enough grip on it to stop the thing from turning. The FCP video makes it look easy with an impact wrench, lol.

I've tried vise grips to hold it but no luck so far. Just keep trying? Any ideas?

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 27 Jun 2015, 10:39

Never mind. I got it... pipe wrench. Thanks for looking anyway.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Jun 2015, 12:41

When you post on MVS, magic happens. Its because then the car knows you have the whole backing of the Force....

Post by **JBC2565** » 29 Jun 2015, 14:19

Tip to get it back on is to by a 7/8" (22.2mm) O2 sensor socket. I got one from harbor freight for less than $10.

mika · Post by **mika** » 30 Jun 2015, 15:05

Are we talking about the nut or the star nut? Not trying to hijack thread, but is there a trick to the star nut? I don't want to puy the 25 dollar socket

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 01 Jul 2015, 11:02

mika wrote:Are we talking about the nut or the star nut? Not trying to hijack thread, but is there a trick to the star nut? I don't want to puy the 25 dollar socket

I got the star-nut (cross-nut) off super easy with my Knipex alligator pliers. They open up just like they were made for the nut.

Knipex are kind of expensive, but plenty of other people make less expensive versions. They are great all round pliers anyway, I'm always reaching for them. They're also called water pump pliers but I don't know why.

mika · Post by **mika** » 01 Jul 2015, 12:09

Yeah, or channel locks. Maybe they are expandable enough to go over the belt cog on the WP? who knows. Thanks for the tip, those Knipex's would be a nice thing to ask wife for xmas

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Jul 2015, 12:14

A pipe wrench or any large pliers are both good solutions for the star nut.

Post by **precopster** » 01 Jul 2015, 15:12

I just use a large 12 inch adjustable wrench. The kind with the thumb scew for adjustment. If I need to hold the shock shaft I use vice grips that have V shaped jaws (not serrated jaws) and plenty of rag around the polished steel.

One time the spring seat was so damaged that the star nut had become embedded in the spring seat. I had to grind two splits into the metal bushing of the spring seat.

After collecting tools for 30 years you realise that you need some pretty wonderful and expensive stuff. Thankfully tool prices have come down lately.