Front strut mount nut removal

[99offroadrngr]

Hey guys,

I'll be swapping out my beat up front struts within the next week or so. The 3 nuts on the strut mount are rusty and beat up, preventing me from getting a good fit on them with a socket and even a wrench. :ybrick:

What do you guys suggest to remove them?

turbo socket (if so what sizes) or cutting them off (what'd you use)

space is fairly limited, especially that innermost stud so i figure i'd ask now to save some time, and hear what others have done in this situation.

thanks in advance

 

[gamefreakgc]

Just took some rusted ones off a few days ago.

1. Lots of Liquid Wrench/PB blaster, at least soaking overnight.
2. I took a crow bar and breaker bar and actually bent the interior fender wall to give me enough space to get a socket + breaker bar on the inner nut. The other two are simple enough.

I don't think you could cut the inner one without cutting other stuff you don't want to.

 

[99Runnr]

Extended length box wrenches from Harbor Freight saved my ass on these for me. I had 2 of them that rounded and I was getting nowhere with Kobalt, Craftsman and any other feasible socket/wobbly combo I threw up there.

I bought a set of those, 14mm wrench fit perfectly and the extra leverage got it loose for me. PB blaster, keep the control arm loaded so there is minimal stress pulling down on the studs/nuts. Worst case, you could cut using a small dremel like tool, an cut each side of the nut and use a flat head to pry/finish breaking it into 2 pieces. Then replace the studs.

Or cut a small flat spot in the nut, an use a flathead and a hammer to knock it loose. Rust and corrosion are a *****, good luck.

 

[tvpierce]

Hey guys,

I'll be swapping out my beat up front struts within the next week or so. The 3 nuts on the strut mount are rusty and beat up, preventing me from getting a good fit on them with a socket and even a wrench. :ybrick:

What do you guys suggest to remove them?

turbo socket (if so what sizes) or cutting them off (what'd you use)

space is fairly limited, especially that innermost stud so i figure i'd ask now to save some time, and hear what others have done in this situation.

thanks in advance

Start with a good penetrating fluid: PBlaster, Kroil, Knocker Loose, etc. (not WD-40 or Liquid Wrench)
Apply it over a number of days -- ideally 2-3 times a day. For instance, first thing in the morning, then again when you come home from work. Spray them, then tap on them with a wrench, hammer, whatever you can reach them with. Multiple applications and time will allow the fluid to do its work. If you do this over the course of a week, you'll improve your chances of removing the fasteners without issues.

I don't know that area of the truck well -- can you get some heat on it with a propane or MAPP torch?

 

[St Runner]

It depends on wether you are replacing the strut with a complete assembly or individual spring and shock. A complete assembly will have the top hat on it already so you can just sawzall it off if you cannot get the three nuts off. If you are replacing with a separated spring and shock just do the diy spring removal. Put the frame on jacks, unbolt the tire, swaybar and lower ball joint. Put a jack under the lower control arm and put some tension on it. Then remove the middle nut on the shock and lower the jack. Remove the lower shock bolt and Your spring and shock will come out in two pieces. Just reverse the procedure to put it back together with the new parts