castle nut at the top of the front struts

[Rubce]

Hi All

After removing the hubs and discs, and then the fun with two hammers to remove the ball joints I am now ready to remove the springs and inserts. I have removed the split pins but the so**ing nuts will not shift:X. Has anybody got any good tips for me? Is it better to compress the spring first before trying the nut?

One of the struts is in the vice situated in the middle of our patio and I am sure I can hear it laughing at me:X

Bruce

[Kevin Garrod]

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Be very careful!

You should use spring compressors before undoing this nut or you may do yourself a mischief.

I got my local garage to do mine (FOC) when I replaced the spring insulators.

[Gresley]

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Hi Bruce

Take the tension up (just) of the springs before you undo the nut. When the nut is just slack, you can then compress the srings and remove evrything. This method worked safely for me a few months ago when I put new front dampers on mine.

Regards

Brian

[Stagdad]

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As already stated fit the compressors first . what would happen if that nut you can't shift were to shear the shaft off,doesn't bear thinking about.

Good luck Steve

[loudnproud]

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We dont need any stag owners with a death wish, you must put spring compressors on first, that should also release some of the tension on the castle nut, be safe good luck.

[Greenstag]

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Stagdad wrote:

if that nut you can't shift were to shear the shaft off,doesn't bear thinking about.

He's right...check these nutters out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA5qnKcgaTk

[martin]

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Hiya, spring compressors are about £20 a pair. Are you having troublestopping the shaft from turning ? ifyou are, take one old half inch drive, half inch/13mm socket and knock it onto the topof the shocker, now you can hold it still with the wrench, and get the nut off with a cranked ring spanner, sadly, the flats at the top of the strut are useless.I've done dozens of Mcpherson struts over the years, and have never had one shear, I doubt if any two men are strong enough. If you don't use compressors, thetop bearingwill take your head clean off and throw it through the roof ! Enjoy.

[Stagdad]

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Greenstag wrote:

Stagdad wrote:

if that nut you can't shift were to shear the shaft off,doesn't bear thinking about.

He's right...check these nutters out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA5qnKcgaTk

:shock:Reminds me why i don't take my car to a garage unless i have to.

[Rubce]

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martin wrote:

Hiya, spring compressors are about £20 a pair. Are you having troublestopping the shaft from turning ?

Martin

Yes that is the problem I was having. The spanner kept slipping off the flats whilst I was trying to turn the nut. I will try your socket suggestion.

I never intended to remove the nut without the compressors on. I just thought leaving the springs initially uncompressed would help stop the insert rotating within the strut whilst I cracked the nutand then fit the compressors before fully removing the nut.

Thanks

Bruce

[Andy Rundell]

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I had one particularly awkward nut on one of my struts....i ended up compressing the spring and then cutting off the top of the damper below the top mount

[Arbman Al]

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Andy Rundell wrote:

I had one particularly awkward nut on one of my struts....:shock::shock::shock:

Hope you are ok now, Andy:P:P

[Andy Rundell]

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arbman101 wrote:

Andy Rundell wrote:

I had one particularly awkward nut on one of my struts....:shock::shock::shock:

Hope you are ok now, Andy:P:P

Note to self..... remember to re-read post !

Yep - all ok now !!

[martin]

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Hi, another method I've been told of, is to hold the upper spring pan in a large vice, as it's "D"d on, the shaft can't turn, worth trying but awkeward with the compressors in place. Some car makers provide a proper hex or square top to grip, sadly Triumph didn't take wear and age into consideration, nothing new there then. Good luck.

[Rubce]

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Hi All

Well they are both off. I used Andy's suggest and simply sawed through the inserts at the top. Then popped the top assembly in the vice and the nuts came away freely.

Next problem is how to get the inserts out of the struts. I removed the centre popping and then tried to rotate them anti clockwise with the use of a hammer and centre pop. But they will not move.:X

Any suggestions?:?

These struts are rapidly becoming my nemesis:shock:

Bruce

[Andrew S]

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Hi Bruce

You are almost there in what yo are doing.

Before you try and undotheseinternalnuts, you need to know that when they were fitted, normally, the body of the strut tube is slightly tapped over in order to stop the nut undoing. Mine had a centre punch mark where they were just knocked in enough as to pinch the nut.

I would look for any signs that the strut tubing is pinch holding the nut and anyway, use some WD40 or Plugas before you do anything

As I say, you are almost there and refitting is very easy

Good luck

Andrew