Cross nut on strut

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 21 Aug 2023, 09:53

Greetings everyone!

I am beginning to work on the front strut assemblies on my V70 T5, and wondered if the placement of the cross nut - cross knubs facing outward OR placed against the spring seat - makes any difference. I have seen videos where the cross nut is placed in both directions. Obviously, the cross nut is placed to hold down the spring seat, just wondering if the "cross" part of the nut needs to be against the spring seat.

In my case, the "cross" part of the nut is not against the spring seat, but more outward (its the solid part of the nut that is against the spring seat).

Appreciate your thoughts!

Post by **scot850** » 21 Aug 2023, 10:20

Check the 11th picture on the Pelican website how to.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticl ... cement.htm

The 'flat' side of the cross nut is upwards so it sits flat against the large washer.

Neil.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 21 Aug 2023, 11:09

Thanks, Neil!
The link to the Pelican repair site was great!

I will use my cordless impact driver to tighten up the main nut on the top of the strut.
How do you torque this top strut mount nut (the nut that holds everything in place)? While it is out of the car with spring compressors in place or once the assembly is installed?

Post by **scot850** » 21 Aug 2023, 11:36

You can get it tight and do the final torque when re-fitted and weight is on the suspension.

Volvo has a special 2 part tool that has a inner part that holds the top of the flat section of the strut shaft top. The outer section is the part you use to torque the top nut.

I have not done it myself, but if you have the torque rods for an impact tool you may be able to use that to torque.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... l-cta-a446

This is what the Volvo tool actually looks like:

https://www.powertoolsdirect.com/sealey ... tool-volvo

Neil.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 21 Aug 2023, 12:03

Thanks, Neil!!
The nut is on and as tight as I can get it, but then the strut rod begins to move in the same direction as the nut!
Once I have everything back in place, I'll torque the nut.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Aug 2023, 14:12

The spring needs to be compressed so the cross nut goes down hard on the upper seat. See the video for the procedure. You cannot compress the spring with the cross nut

Post by **foggydogg** » 22 Aug 2023, 06:19

As Dr. Abscate mentions, the spring still needs to be held by the compressor while tightening the cross not. I use a good size crescent wrench to hold the shaft, for both that and the nut on top holding the bearing plate.

: V70 front strut.jpg (66.67 KiB) Viewed 428 times

Try to avoid a lot of spinning of the strut shaft itself, and using an impact on either of those fasteners isn't recommended.

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 22 Aug 2023, 13:41

Thanks Neil, Abscate, and foggydog for your replies and helpful diagrams, links, and advice! Once I noticed the shaft was spinning as I was trying to tighten the mount nut, I stopped!
Installed the parts in same order and fashion as I removed them (and as illustrated above). All is good.
See pics in "What did you do to your Volvo today" page 903.
Just need to lower the car so I can torque the primary mount nut!!

Post by **scot850** » 22 Aug 2023, 17:07

Well done!

Neil.

Post by **FireFox31** » 22 Aug 2023, 18:03

5rivers wrote: ↑22 Aug 2023, 13:41 See pics in "What did you do to your Volvo today" page 903.

Considering all of your rust, what was the condition of the original cross nuts? Did you reuse yours?

I am planning to replace three full spring suspensions but only bought cross nuts for one. Input from forums and elsewhere suggested that the original cross nuts would be fine to reuse.