big nut for suspension won't open!, help! Options

[J-TYPE]

hey, i'm trying to take apart my suspension but the 19mm nut that holds the springs and shocks together won't open. it turns but then the cartridge spins with it. i tried using a vise grip to stop the cartridge from spinning but it still turns. anyone have this problem? and can give me some help removing the nut?

thanks inadvance!

[Coomer]

You need a 19mm socket or wrench on the other side to stop the whole nut and bolt from spinning. And jacking up the hub with the little factory jack just enough to push it up a tiny bit helps too.

[J-TYPE]

You need a 19mm socket or wrench on the other side to stop the whole nut and bolt from spinning. And jacking up the hub with the little factory jack just enough to push it up a tiny bit helps too.
[right][snapback]315923[/snapback][/right]

ohh..you're talking about the hub. i got that out no problem but the other 19mm bolt for the top mount under the hood is not coming out..

[macavely]

ok put the sturt back in ... slide on bolt at the bottome back in.. and losely put the 3 blots on top back in... now loser the top nut on the strut.. but do not take it off.. just turn it enuff where the edge of the nut is over the tip os the sturt... not take ther strut out... compres spring and losen the nut....

[mr_dude]

If you're talking about the rear suspension, I had this problem too. The pressure plate (top black piece) has a moon-shape hole that the strut goes through. If the hole becomes round from wear, the entire assembly will turn if you try and undo the nut.

I tried a pipe wrench and vice to hold the strut and loosen the bolt, but it didn't work. I could think of more elegant approaches, but what I ended up doing was taking a hacksaw to the strut. It worked very well.

Edit:
And definitely replace the pressure plate. If you don't, you won't get the 19mm nut on tight and that causes loud problems.

This post has been edited by mr_dude: Jul 23, 2005 - 4:07 PM

[J-TYPE]

ok put the sturt back in ... slide on bolt at the bottome back in.. and losely put the 3 blots on top back in...  now  loser the top nut on the strut.. but do not take it off.. just turn it enuff where the edge of the nut is over the tip os the sturt... not take ther strut out... compres spring and losen the nut....
[right][snapback]315945[/snapback][/right]

i've tried this already and did not work.. once i turn the top nut on the strut it turns the shock also which means that it isn't opening but is just turning....

[Kwanza26]

Doesn't Toyota have an allen key slot cut into the top? hmmm... I may be confused with Honda.

Impact gun will do it...

[J-TYPE]

If you're talking about the rear suspension, I had this problem too.  The pressure plate (top black piece) has a moon-shape hole that the strut goes through.  If the hole becomes round from wear, the entire assembly will turn if you try and undo the nut.

I tried a pipe wrench and vice to hold the strut and loosen the bolt, but it didn't work.  I could think of more elegant approaches, but what I ended up doing was taking a hacksaw to the strut.  It worked very well.

Edit:
And definitely replace the pressure plate.  If you don't, you won't get the 19mm nut on tight and that causes loud problems.
[right][snapback]315952[/snapback][/right]

the problem you're talking about here is practically the same problem that i'm having with the front! taking a hacksaw meaning u got new struts? well my springs and shocks are fairly new...

[J-TYPE]

Doesn't Toyota have an allen key slot cut into the top?  hmmm... I may be confused with Honda. 

Impact gun will do it...
[right][snapback]316065[/snapback][/right]

allen key slot is for honda..impact gun, i've tried it and it doesnt even turn. but i am able to turn it by a extended socket wrench.

[Rjb23]

Doesn't Toyota have an allen key slot cut into the top?  hmmm... I may be confused with Honda. 

Impact gun will do it...
[right][snapback]316065[/snapback][/right]

An impact wrench should loosen it.

There also should be a slot(2 flat spots on the top) where you can fit an open end wrench. Just put the whole strut in a vice, use the open end wrench to hold the rod from turning, and then use a ratchet with a pipe on the end of it and turn it slowly. There is no way it should be that hard to get it off, make sure you are turning it the right way, righty tighty lefty loosie!

[J-TYPE]

An impact wrench should loosen it.

There also should be a slot(2 flat spots on the top) where you can fit an open end wrench. Just put the whole strut in a vice, use the open end wrench to hold the rod from turning, and then use a ratchet with a pipe on the end of it and turn it slowly. There is no way it should be that hard to get it off, make sure you are turning it the right way, righty tighty lefty loosie!
[right][snapback]316102[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]


i don't see any flat spots on the top? if there was any it would help alot and solve my problems! can u be more specific please, thank you

[presure2]

when we (dustin and i ) did my bad rear mounts last week, we had to cut the rubber portion of the mount away with a sawzall to be able to hold the top of the strut mount to get that nut off.
if you can get a grip on the metal below the mount with a good pair of vice grips, that may help.
good luck!

[J-TYPE]

when we (dustin and i ) did my bad rear mounts last week, we had to cut the rubber portion of the mount away with a sawzall to be able to hold the top of the strut mount to get that nut off.
if you can get a grip on the metal below the mount with a good pair of vice grips, that may help.
good luck!
[right][snapback]316168[/snapback][/right]

ohh ic, i'll try that later on when i have time, thanks !

[mr_dude]

Just make sure you don't mess up the silky-smoothness of the strut.

I'll spare you the details on why, but the second time I did it I took and impact wrench to it while it was still in the wheel well. It worked.

[J-TYPE]

Just make sure you don't mess up the silky-smoothness of the strut.

I'll spare you the details on why, but the second time I did it I took and impact wrench to it while it was still in the wheel well.  It worked.
[right][snapback]316250[/snapback][/right]

i've tried the impact gun while it was still in the wheel well and did not work, it only turns with the strut

[Galcobar]

The strut piston itself, up at the top, has a flat surface to match with the strut mount hole.

If that hole is now rounded and you can't use the strut mount to keep the strut piston from turning, try presure2's sugestion of cutting away the rubber on the strut mount. That should give you room to get a pair of pliers or vice-grips on the flat section of the strut piston, which will give you the leverage you need to remove the upper nut.

It doesn't really matter that you're ruining the strut mount, because if that hole is rounded out, you need to replace it anyway.