Removal of front struts

tjlazer · 07-16-2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pctree24fan

When trying to remove the 19mm nut I struggled for a couple of hours trying to get it to loosen up. I used a deep socket 6 sided and it would not budge, did anyone else have trouble with this? Is there some kind of trick? I could get every other bolt or nut to release except the 19mm. Help please

Yes it was very hard to remove, I had to get a long breaker bar and pretty much use my feet and put my body weight on it to break them loose.

But be careful as you may strip that nut. That's what I did and had to order two new ones! Make sure and soak it with PB Blaster for a few hours...

Pctree24fan · 07-16-2012, 12:58 PM

So the nut on the other side of the strut, is it also a 19mm or is it a differnt size? I saw some discussion before about this potentially spinning. I would think as long as you can keep it from spinning, get the front nut off and the bracket with the three 14 mm the strut should come right out. Am I thinking correctly?

ChrisSlicks · 07-16-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pctree24fan

So the nut on the other side of the strut, is it also a 19mm or is it a differnt size? I saw some discussion before about this potentially spinning. I would think as long as you can keep it from spinning, get the front nut off and the bracket with the three 14 mm the strut should come right out. Am I thinking correctly?

Yes. Get the 19mm off first and the other 3 will be easy. I don't remember the size of the bolt head on the other side, could have been 19mm. I used an impact wrench to get this one and had no trouble with it spinning. If doing it by hand you might need to lock the other side in place with a box wrench or something. Other than that you just need to remove the 3 nuts at the top of the shock tower, which if you remove the strut tower brace will be very easy to get to.

Pctree24fan · 07-16-2012, 07:34 PM

How long did you have to fight with the 19mm? I have been hitting it for a while, the edges of the nut are starting to deform. I am using a six sided deep socket, so I not real concerned about stripping it out, but it seems like there must be a trick to it. That damn thing will not budge. I have tried the previous idea of putting PBS blaster on it. Still no movement. Any other suggestions?

SPOHN · 07-16-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pctree24fan

How long did you have to fight with the 19mm? I have been hitting it for a while, the edges of the nut are starting to deform. I am using a six sided deep socket, so I not real concerned about stripping it out, but it seems like there must be a trick to it. That damn thing will not budge. I have tried the previous idea of putting PBS blaster on it. Still no movement. Any other suggestions?

Is it spinning? Are you using a breaker bar with some length? Try not to use an extension also. Are you turning it the right way? LOL

Pctree24fan · 07-16-2012, 08:07 PM

Not spinning, not moving, have the impact in reverse. God I hope I am not going in the wrong direction. Driving me freakin crazy. Have not tried a breaker bar, to afraid I would strip it out. I am not going to let this damn thing whip my ***!!!

ChrisSlicks · 07-16-2012, 10:00 PM

That sucker is on there tight! I don't remember having that much trouble. If the impact isn't getting anywhere then you can try the breaker bar, sometimes constant torque is better than the hammer.

tjlazer · 07-16-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pctree24fan

Not spinning, not moving, have the impact in reverse. God I hope I am not going in the wrong direction. Driving me freakin crazy. Have not tried a breaker bar, to afraid I would strip it out. I am not going to let this damn thing whip my ***!!!

yep thats what I did on each side, but I got them off! Rounded them nuts nicely when the socket slipped off a few times...

07-16-2012, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pctree24fan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Denver, NC Posts: 4 Drives: 2010 370Z Touring Rep Power: 14	Another question So the nut on the other side of the strut, is it also a 19mm or is it a differnt size? I saw some discussion before about this potentially spinning. I would think as long as you can keep it from spinning, get the front nut off and the bracket with the three 14 mm the strut should come right out. Am I thinking correctly?

07-16-2012, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pctree24fan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Denver, NC Posts: 4 Drives: 2010 370Z Touring Rep Power: 14	ChrisSlicks How long did you have to fight with the 19mm? I have been hitting it for a while, the edges of the nut are starting to deform. I am using a six sided deep socket, so I not real concerned about stripping it out, but it seems like there must be a trick to it. That damn thing will not budge. I have tried the previous idea of putting PBS blaster on it. Still no movement. Any other suggestions?

07-16-2012, 10:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	That sucker is on there tight! I don't remember having that much trouble. If the impact isn't getting anywhere then you can try the breaker bar, sometimes constant torque is better than the hammer. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

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07-16-2012, 08:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pctree24fan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Denver, NC Posts: 4 Drives: 2010 370Z Touring Rep Power: 14	Not spinning, not moving, have the impact in reverse. God I hope I am not going in the wrong direction. Driving me freakin crazy. Have not tried a breaker bar, to afraid I would strip it out. I am not going to let this damn thing whip my ***!!!