Front springs won't come off the strut!!!!

[87AccordsterLx]

We can't get this damn bolt to come off the front strut! Has anyone encountered this? I think I am going to have to get a spring compressor to relieve some of the pressure... Any ideas?

[Jims 86LXI HB]

You you talking about the one at the very top of the strut at the top strut mount.

The nut won't turn or is the the shaft turning so the nut won't turn? The only way I ever got them off was to use the speed of the impact air wrench. Some shafts like the Koni's have a allen key hole at the top of the strut shaft so you can stop the shaft from spinning to get the nut off. Other's may have a flat spot at the top to put a wrench on to stop the shaft.

[87AccordsterLx]

Yes this one has a hex key hole but the bolt still will not turn. Then entire thing is turning hex and all. I can't get the bolt to unscrew. Could this be due to the pressure of the spring? I had a bunch of people over the other day and we all come to the conclusion that my car was sitting way to high compared to a normal 3g on stock suspension. We have 5 3gs in our local car club and I measured the 2 that have stock suspension and my car sits about 1.5in higher then theirs. Is this because of the struts? Are they too big or somthing? There is a TON of pressure on this strut/shock combination. So much that I think it is causing the bolt to stick. Any ideas? Do you think it will be easier to get off once I compress the spring a little? Thanks.

[buish]

are you saying, when you turn the nut, the nut and the shaft is turning at the same time?

if that is the case, you need to stick a allen key in that hole and use a wrench to turn the nut, while holding the allen key in place.

[87AccordsterLx]

Originally posted by buish
are you saying, when you turn the nut, the nut and the shaft is turning at the same time?

if that is the case, you need to stick a allen key in that hole and use a wrench to turn the nut, while holding the allen key in place.

that is exactly what is happening only we have tried over and over to unscrew it with the allen key in there and it still won't budge... :(

[BITESIZE]

I think your nuts if you don't use a spring compressor (on stock springs), because they have alot of foot pounds underneith that bolt. Spray some WD40 on the bolt and use a wrench on the bolt and the allen wrench on the thingy at the top, it should budge easily. If you had new struts/shocks you could just chop that fuckin bolt off! :) Good luck!

[87AccordsterLx]

looks like Im getting a spring compressor... :) thanks guys.