Strut Cross Nut

[310erikt]

Is there a cross nut alternative for sachs struts? I installed struts on my car but i never used a cross nut because there was none on the old struts to switch over. I dont really have the time to order.

[erikv11]

The cross shaped nut is the one that does all the work, it holds the assembly together. It also can stop the spring seat from killing you if the seat fails, and its size determines the amount of drop on the strut when you drive over a pothole or big bump in the road. I wouldn't leave it out and if you sub in a hex nut that won't limit the travel like a cross nut will.

The top nut, the hex nut, can be removed with the struts in the car and the wheels on the ground, but not the cross nut (the strut shaft will protrude up). The top nut holds on the big washer, together with the cross nut they limit the drop.