Hey everybody, well I was all prepared to change my front strut mounts (because they are shot) this weekend and well it didn't happen. I thought I had all the tools necessary, but I guess I didn't. I was planning on saving me the labour and all I would need would have been a alignment. Well I followed (http://bradiscool.com/spring.html ) steps to the tee and well I had the spring compressed and well I could not remove the strut bolt to take the mount off to be replaced. It said it could be done without using air tools, well I would have loved somebody there to show me how, because in the step by step, he used a ratchet and a wrench. well there was not way in hell that I was able to fit any size wench in the hole. The mount on my 99 Z was different than in the picture. I still can't figure it out. Well i was able to get it all back together and will have to get the shop to put them on at the same time I get a alignment and safety done this week.
I just wanted to share this information and probably not helpful for anybody, just wanted some feedback.
Marcel
You do realize that most places including my work do carryins.
If you remove the struts from the car ( with springs installed and all) and bring in new struts and mounts we install them for .3 for each. Think it is $37.90 for both of them.
Anyways you should never remove that nut without having the spring in a compressor. Guy at our shop saw a guy get his jaw about ripped off by a flying spring, those things fly like hell when they come loose
As far as what nut, normally 22mm deep weld impact socket if what most vehicles are. No way in hell does that come off with a hand ratchet, with rust and torqued most likely well over 150lbs, it aint happing with hand tools. I have a Snap On 1/2 impact gun, that put downs 650lbs of torque and it had to struggle a tab bit to get those nuts off sometimes.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
been awhile sine I read the steps from Brad, but thats where I got my info. you have to loosen it while its mounted on the car, then it should come off allot easier.
I use an inexpensive impact gun it comes right off. if its rusted up PB Blaster is your friend
friend of mine when i went through school , got hit in the head when using a spring/strut tool
if you hit the nut while the car is on the ground(like you would drive it) you can loosen the nut with a impact gun then pull them off and it will be easier
and first timers always use spring compressors
Thank for the comments, now I don't feel so bad, because I wasn't able to take it off with hand tools, I am getting it done this Thursday and everything should be fine. About the compressor, I was extra careful because I know how dangerous those things can be and I never stuck my face near the top, and well like in the previous post there was no way the top nut was coming off so I was safe.
Thanks for the comments.
not so pissed now
i never had a problem with it. i always took my struts out then started to loosen the nut. i used an open end wrench and a socket. never had a problem.
Bah, J-body springs aren't compressed that much... I've never been able to make them fly more than a few inches....
i wasnt gonna say anything , but since john opened the door
i havent use spring compressors when doing a J's suspension in about 4 years , and ive droped a couple dozen cars , that includes do a few more than once
1 hand with your weight on the strut mount is enough to over ride the springs compression force , it will bounce some , once the nut comes off , but not enough to force everything apart
but for beginners its still best to use the proper tools for the job , even us old timers should still do it the right way
