How Does This Thing Come Apart???

[swathdiver]

Had picked out an OTC spring compressor and then later, in the interest of economy, chose one of those two piece jobs that go on either side the coils. Several of the reviewers said that they used them on our 900s so I bought it.

Well, they must have meant a hot wheel or matchbox car because I had to grind away at the little safeties to get them to go over the coils. That was two hours and a couple of dremel bits.

So now I put the tool on the strut and begin hand tightening with a ratched, 10 1/2 turns on each side and then 5. No tension has come off the strut mount. So I put the impact on the spring compressors and slowly tighten it some more, just a few turns at a time. Finally, there is some space opening up but no real slack yet.

Thinking I'm there, I put the socket on the top nut and try to loosen it. First with the ratchet, no joy. Then with the impact and it just spins freely but does not come off. I appears that the nut is still stuck on the shaft and the impact gun is spinning the nut and shaft. Make sense? So what do I do now? Tighten the coils some more? Man those springs are like coiled bombs and I have a healthy fear of them.

The strut mount is the only part that will be re-used, saved a $150 that way, or maybe I didn't!

Your advice is much appreciated!

 

[Sparksalot]

You’re trying to get the nut off the end of the shock itself?

I did mine recently and didn’t have an impact wrench at the time. The rod definitely spun for me. I ended up having to wrap it with a strip of 60 grit, and clamp down tight with vice grips. I was able to hold it enough to get it loose.

 

[iamdub]

I borrowed spring compressors like that from two different parts stores. One pair was bending a lot long before I had any real pressure off the mount. I ended up with another pair and cycled between FOUR of those to do the job. What a cramped pain that was. I hope your threaded rods aren't stretching.

 

[swathdiver]

You’re trying to get the nut off the end of the shock itself?

I did mine recently and didn’t have an impact wrench at the time. The rod definitely spun for me. I ended up having to wrap it with a strip of 60 grit, and clamp down tight with vice grips. I was able to hold it enough to get it loose.

Ahh, that should work, thanks! Will try tomorrow so the impact gun doesn't wake up the neighbors!

 

[swathdiver]

I borrowed spring compressors like that from two different parts stores. One pair was bending a lot long before I had any real pressure off the mount. I ended up with another pair and cycled between FOUR of those to do the job. What a cramped pain that was. I hope your threaded rods aren't stretching.

It's an OEM Tools brand, no stretching, yet.

 

[Sparksalot]

Ahh, that should work, thanks! Will try tomorrow so the impact gun doesn't wake up the neighbors!

Here’s what it looked like. I cut the dust boot away to see better.

 

[wjburken]

When I changed my struts a month ago, I put a pair of vise grips on the tip of the top strut stem and was able to get a open end wrench on the nut and get it off.

 

[swathdiver]

Put the vise grip on the shaft and the nut came right off, thanks! I think for the new shock and nut, I shall put some rubber around the teeth of the vise grips.

 

[Sparksalot]

Put the vise grip on the shaft and the nut came right off, thanks! I think for the new shock and nut, I shall put some rubber around the teeth of the vise grips.

I didn't have to do that. I was able to hold the end of the shaft and use an open end wrench to run the nut down.

 

[exp500]

Leather works better than rubber!

 

[swathdiver]

I didn't have to do that. I was able to hold the end of the shaft and use an open end wrench to run the nut down.

Ok, I'll watch for that. On the old one, the nut was too far down to get a wrench in there.

Leather works better than rubber!

You are right and we keep a scrap of leather near the big vise. Well, it was near, where is it now... LOL

 

[Fless]

Use a piece of the old chamois that you used to use to dry off the truck!

 

[89Suburban]

Isn't the end of the shaft hex shaped to get a wrench to hold it still?

 

[swathdiver]

Isn't the end of the shaft hex shaped to get a wrench to hold it still?

Ohh yeah... Boy, common sense has left the building (my brain)!

Use a piece of the old chamois that you used to use to dry off the truck!

Oh no! If I did that, my kids would start doing that as well and they would wipe down the truck with a chamois that was used to hold a part in the vise that they ground down for some reason or another! Would be just my luck!

 

[Fless]

Oh no! If I did that, my kids would start doing that as well and they would wipe down the truck with a chamois that was used to hold a part in the vise that they ground down for some reason or another! Would be just my luck!

That's why we cut them up and never use them again for drying.... LOL

 

[swathdiver]

While assembling the second strut, I had not realized that the bump stop kinda snaps in place inside the shock mount. I had not done this on the first mount. So I tried to take it apart and no joy, that strut screw was just spinning. Cannot use vise grips between the springs because of the new insulator, the nut is far enough down inside the mount to not allow the use of a wrench so the shaft could be secured. So hopefully it falls into place when the first "bump" is encountered. I also could not torque them to spec, but did get them to screw down to where they stopped moving when I tested it out before assembly. Glad that is over.

 

[iamdub]

At my last reply, I wasn't clear on what you were questioning. But it looks like you have it figured out now.

Also, I've read that if the struts are electronic, you can't let the rod spin or it can (or will?) damage the electronics on the inside.

 

[swathdiver]

At my last reply, I wasn't clear on what you were questioning. But it looks like you have it figured out now.

Also, I've read that if the struts are electronic, you can't let the rod spin or it can (or will?) damage the electronics on the inside.

Dumb shocks on this old truck.