HELP!! Can't remove top plate nuts!

[rossgoldie]

So I am removing my front coils and when I try to remove the 3 nuts that are attached to the screws in the coil assembly, they spin the nut and screw together. I thought they were supposed to be welded! How can't I go about removing these!

 

[rossgoldie]

Here is a pic of what in talking about

 

[Scramble]

my nuts came off with a 1/2" ratchet, they're not welded.

 

[rossgoldie]

my nuts came off with a 1/2" ratchet, they're not welded.

But how did you keep the studs from spinning? My studs are spinning so I can't take the nut off

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

But how did you keep the studs from spinning? My studs are spinning so I can't take the nut off

If they are spinning, then the "stud" is stripped. It's like a wheel stud. The only thing you can do is get a grinder or cut off wheel and cut it off, then replace the tophats. You'll need a spring compressor to remove the coil springs.

 

[rossgoldie]

If they are spinning, then the "stud" is stripped. It's like a wheel stud. The only thing you can do is get a grinder or cut off wheel and cut it off, then replace the tophats. You'll need a spring compressor to remove the coil springs.

Yea that's what I'm gonna do, luckily I ordered my new front shocks/coils fully assembled so I'm not gonna need these top hat after I cut it

 

[SKINUM]

A grinder will be pretty tight on the backside stud.

 

[rossgoldie]

A grinder will be pretty tight on the backside stud.

That one is still sound I think

 

[gamefreakgc]

Might need an oscillating tool to reach the back one if it's bad.

 

[Asaspades93]

gonna have to cut them, whatever tool that you can fit, i think i used a grinder on mine

 

[nissanh]

Before you remove these sort of nuts located inside the fenders, it is always best to remove any dirt stuck on the threads with a wire brush.

 

[gmv4k]

Just did this a few weeks ago.

My buddy used something like this

http://amzn.to/1U04dwQ

to grind away the rear bolt with an air grinder. It took 15-20mins each side. Definitely the hardest part of the whole front suspension/front axle replacement.

 

[TheDurk]

There might be another way. Somewhere on here there is a thread with a technique for taking apart the strut while it is still on the vehicle, using the weight of the truck to compress the spring. This would allow you to remove the shock and spring and leave the top hat on the truck, with the center nut out of the way. This might allow you to get a pair of Vise-Grips on the stud from the bottom, or at least make it easier to cut off.

I haven't done it--it's just a theory.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

There might be another way. Somewhere on here there is a thread with a technique for taking apart the strut while it is still on the vehicle, using the weight of the truck to compress the spring. This would allow you to remove the shock and spring and leave the top hat on the truck, with the center nut out of the way. This might allow you to get a pair of Vise-Grips on the stud from the bottom, or at least make it easier to cut off.

I haven't done it--it's just a theory.

It might work just fine (I don't know), however, be very careful to avoid "exploding" springs once the top-hat is disconnected from the shock body.

 

[I_bRAD]

There might be another way. Somewhere on here there is a thread with a technique for taking apart the strut while it is still on the vehicle, using the weight of the truck to compress the spring. This would allow you to remove the shock and spring and leave the top hat on the truck, with the center nut out of the way. This might allow you to get a pair of Vise-Grips on the stud from the bottom, or at least make it easier to cut off.

I haven't done it--it's just a theory.

This has bad idea written all over it!

 

[r34sklnnsn]

Removed mine without a spring compressor. There was a write up about it on this site somewhere or maybe it was another site. It is a lot of work this way. But do able. And i never felt unsafe.

 

[sapivlhulotp]

something worry!

 

[TheDurk]

This has bad idea written all over it!

Why? Lots of people have done it that way. Have you tried it?

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Why? Lots of people have done it that way. Have you tried it?

Because of this:

It might work just fine (I don't know), however, be very careful to avoid "exploding" springs once the top-hat is disconnected from the shock body.

 

[TheDurk]

Because of this:

The technique is proven to work safely. In fact, it is probably safer than using spring compressors, where the spring energy can be completely and violently released. I've done it with compressors, and it's hairy as hell. I ended up taking the struts to a shop as the compressors liked to slip.

Your warning is valid. But it doesn't mean it can't be done safely. Here it is being done on a Taco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc&feature=youtu.be

and here is the thread with all the people who have done it on a 3G 4Runner.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/80789-no-need-spring-compressor.html

Here is another one.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/100697-anyone-tried-shock-disassembly-method.html

When [MENTION=59542]Singtoe[/MENTION] says he has done it many times, you better believe it can be done.