Tightening strut top bolt

hcca · Post by **hcca** » Tue May 11, 2004 4:39 pm

Got a problem after replacing my rear springs - on one of the struts, I can't tighten the top bolt up because the shock absorber piston keeps spinning. The other one tightened with no problems, but I don't know why it was different. How the hell do I tighten the bolt up??

Cookiemonster · Post by **Cookiemonster** » Tue May 11, 2004 4:45 pm

Is the car sitting on the ground with weight on the suspension?

hcca · Post by **hcca** » Tue May 11, 2004 4:48 pm

Yeah.. doesn't help.

Cookiemonster · Post by **Cookiemonster** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:05 pm

1.Rag around top of shock piston (the least used part of the piston).

2.Vice grips onto rag.

3.Tighten bolt.

hcca · Post by **hcca** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:19 pm

Haha.. yeah, I was thinking about that. I didn't know if there was a more "correct" procedure.. but since the shocks are shagged anyway, it sounds like a reasonable plan.

Cookiemonster · Post by **Cookiemonster** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:23 pm

Has worked for me in the past to get the strut top bolt off.

Then I usually lubricate the thread well before putting the bolt back on. The weight of the car is usually enough to prevent the piston from turning.

hcca · Post by **hcca** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:27 pm

Yep, you're right. For some reason, it didn't seem to work for me yesterday, but took about 5 seconds to fix today. It's weird how sometimes you just have to walk away from things for a while before you can fix it :)

Austarion

Tightening strut top bolt

Tightening strut top bolt

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