Top strut nut

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #1
    I've been changing the front springs on my car, to take the top nut off you need to use a torx bit to hold the damper rod to remove the nut I believe? But on the drivers side strut the top of the damper rod has rounded off and I can't fit anything in to hold it, I there any other way of removing the bolt or or is it completed done for??
  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.
    #2
    This happened to me, luckily just the old standard dampers i planned on throwing away anyway.. so I just used some mole grips on the actual damper and held it that way.

    Obviously this will score the damper so not a good idea if you intend to keep the old dampers.

    Can you not tap a bigger torx in?
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  3. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #3
    I was thinking of tapping a thread in and holding it with a bolt just to crack the nut off if you know what I mean?
  4. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 ..... Posts: 5231 ..............
    #4
    get a airgun on it. will come straight off.

    take strut to a local garage which have one and pay them a £5 to undo it.
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  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #5
    I used mole grips and a microfibre cloth

    Airgun is probably the best option.
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  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MartinObviously View Post
    I used mole grips and a microfibre cloth

    Airgun is probably the best option.
    Cheers for the reply lads!

    I'll give the mole grips and cloth a shot but if no joy I'll nip it down to the garage! Thanks for the advice much appreciated
  7. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #7
    Well mole grips never worked! Looks like the struts off down the garage to use there windy gun
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shaund123 View Post
    Well mole grips never worked! Looks like the struts off down the garage to use there windy gun
    You just weren't man enough
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  9. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2011 Abermule, Mid Wales. Posts: 2763 Corsa Rally Car & Fiesta ST
    #9
    I always use my battery impact driver to do them top nuts.

    but obviously if you don't have one then garage it is
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MartinObviously View Post
    You just weren't man enough
    Hahahaha! It just kept spinning!
  11. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #11
    If I had a good hold on the rod then I'd be able to crack the nut off! It's the only thing that's stopping me finish this job
  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shaund123 View Post
    If I had a good hold on the rod
    oooh errr
  13. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #13
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Brettles1986 View Post
    oooh errr
    saucy saucyyyy
  14. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #14



    WTF do i do now???
  15. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #15
    Just put a angle grinder through the piston. Then the top will come off. Makes it easier to undo the nut..

    Make sure the springs are compressed though
  16. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #16
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Prickle View Post
    Just put a angle grinder through the piston.

    Make sure the springs are compressed though

    The springs snapped anyways mate so all the compression has gone, whats the point of cutting it in half? means i'll have to get a new strut anyways.
  17. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #17
    No you dont. Theres a cap lower down that screws the damper in the strut..

    Or cut the snapped spring out. Then undo the cap that secures the damper in the strut.
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #18
    Do what prickle said cut the damper in half and replace the damper, That one is fucked now anyways.

    You could try heat and a impact gun but heat will bugger the rubber top mount up.
  19. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #19
    cheers for the help lads, is the cap the gold/silver thing that the gator covers?
  20. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #20
    Yes under that black cover.

    It has 2 or 3 little nicks it so you can hit it round and it will screw off.

    Whatever you do, do not try and smash it upwards off! bye threads if you do that.
  21. Infrequent Poster Joined: Apr 2012 newcastle Posts: 206
    #21
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Prickle View Post
    Yes under that black cover.

    It has 2 or 3 little nicks it so you can hit it round and it will screw off.

    Whatever you do, do not try and smash it upwards off! bye threads if you do that.
    Cheers mate, ive seen it! i'll give that a go. its had my head done in all day! looks like im ordering a new damper!
  22. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #22
    No worries dude.