F*CK!

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:56 pm

I tried to lower car today. ran into huge rust problem. the front left strut where u gotta take off with wrench and allen wrench, the allen wrench part is so rusted it's like.. stripped..
I dont know what to do right now..
any suggestions?

thanks.
- Jeff.

by **PhreakdOut** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:08 pm

If you're talking about an allen head fitting in the top of the strut rod, that is for installation. It is used to keep the strut rod from spinning during install.

For removal, it is best to use an impact gun. Spray it with lube and then hit it in short bursts. This spins the nut faster than the rod. You can do the reverse for reinstallation but you should change the strut instead.

Website · by **Turbosolara** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:16 pm

yeah without power tool it is a pain in the ass to work on the suspension, especial rusty parts

by **CamryOnBronze** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:23 am

Jeff has a complete setup from me that is already assembled, so he doesnt need to remove the spring from the strut.

Jeff, get a picture if you can- I dont remember any allen screws on my suspension. You should need to remove the top three bolts, the large two bottom nuts and bolts, and the hardware for the brake line mount and the swaybar endlinks, then the suspension should come off. The only allen screw I can think of that you may be talking about is the endlinks. Post up a pic if you get a chance and we can help you more.

A breaker bar, PB blaster, and a friend with some guns are your best friends during this install- you may want to pick up a cheap torch from autozone as well.

by **PhreakdOut** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:34 am

^^ I was wondering about this. I assumed he had the strut off the car and in the spring compressed. I guess I should have asked a couple more questions.

Jeff, like Damon said, please post up some pictures. I hope you are not in the hospital right now after releasing the uncompressed spring from the strut assembly.

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:10 am

No no you guys. im talking about the STOCK suspension right now.
I'll take a pic tomorrow. I'm going back to my friend's house tomorrow to retry it...
IT's the bolt attached to the STOCK strut that is attached to the front sway bar or something. you have to use a wrench and turn it clockwise THEN at the same time use an allen wrnech to turn it COUNTER clock wise, other wise it would just spin if u DIDNT use the allen key.

impact gun? we have an impact gun, but the rust on this bolt thing is SO bad the allen key completely stripped the bolt. using an impact gun wouldnt work cuz even when we turn the wrench.. all of it jus spins??
Maybe, but i doubt it would work?..

worst case scenario is I'd have to cut that bolt and buy a new one with the nut and stuff... i dont even WANT to know how much it'll cost to buy that part from the dealership.

thats how we got the driver side one on anyways.
I was doing this work for like 6-7 hours yetserday, wut a b*tch. taking out the back seat I thought would be the most of my worries..
any suggestions would help.

by **unbalancedwood** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:22 am

Hes talking about the sway bar links. your gonna need new ones (advanced auto has them for $50) I had to do the same thing for one of mine. sucked.

Top: aftermarket
Bottom: stock

but for this aftermarket one I had to make a tool to hold the wrench part behind the sway bar/strut, it does not use the same allen wrench setup. See you cant exactly get a full size wrench behind them and tighen all the way. I fashioned this thin wrench tool.

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:33 am

unbalancedwood wrote:Hes talking about the sway bar links. your gonna need new ones (advanced auto has them for $50) I had to do the same thing for one of mine. sucked.

Top: aftermarket
Bottom: stock

but for this aftermarket one I had to make a tool to hold the wrench part behind the sway bar/strut, it does not use the same allen wrench setup. See you cant exactly get a full size wrench behind them and tighen all the way. I fashioned this thin wrench tool.

i dont think thats the right part. there is a spot for the allen wrench key..

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:40 am

for that thin wrench.. where did u get it? i tried using vice grips but it wouldnt fit, it was too big so...
and pliers of course didnt help

by **CamryOnBronze** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:51 am

the endlinks do have a spot for the allen key- look again, that is the only thing on this install that could possibly have an allen key... I just removed my suspension like two weeks ago and that is the only part that requires an allen... you wont be able to get a new nut and bolt, youre going to need new endlinks most likely... the bolt in the endlink cannot be removed from the link, so if it is damaged you will need new ones.

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:58 am

So Damon you are saying if I cut it I'll have to get a new sway bar link?..

it cant be removed? I thought we removed a bolt from the passenger side (the one we got in the aftermarket struts n springs).[not the bolt by the calipers, but on the strut]

by **CamryOnBronze** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:16 am

if it is the actual endlink, there isnt a bolt that comes out- it has a boot over it and pivots on the endlink, so it doesnt come out... get us a pic if you get a chance but Im pretty sure youre thinking of the endlinks...

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:42 am

I'll take pics today,
Damon try n call me yeah? sometime around 2 or something.
imma try n do it again tonight..

by **Midias** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:55 pm

unbalancedwood wrote:Hes talking about the sway bar links. your gonna need new ones (advanced auto has them for $50) I had to do the same thing for one of mine. sucked.

Top: aftermarket
Bottom: stock

but for this aftermarket one I had to make a tool to hold the wrench part behind the sway bar/strut, it does not use the same allen wrench setup. See you cant exactly get a full size wrench behind them and tighen all the way. I fashioned this thin wrench tool.
]

I used the same ones and use a 18mm wrench ground thinner on a bench grinder. Mine stripped out so I used a cut off wheel on my angle grinder to remove the old.

by **unbalancedwood** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:24 pm

yup, its all the same, I guess somthing that theyve probally changed since all these problems with stripping the allen wrench part.

But i doubt Damon gave you his sway bar [end]link. you cant fix it, its screwed, you need a new one, ebay, auto parts online, or your local auto parts store will have it today or next day (45-65$ depending).

cut yours off, get new one, put it on. luckly i screwed mine up while putting it on so i was able to get it off.

All you need to do is put some rubber around it, hold it with pliers, and take the nut off. Be careful not to mess up the threads or you'll have to cut it off with some kind of hand/power saw....

[ps, midas...were always getting involved in discussion about these sway bar links w/ my picture. maybe we'll create a tutorial one day...]

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