Front Struts

mustangthusiast · Apr 3, 2011

So as part of my swap I'm replacing all of my suspension. The top bolt on the passenger side front strut (haven't even attempted driver side yet) is giving me a problem. I've wedged all sorts of sh*t in the groove of the bolt stud (screwdriver, pry bar, ect.) and the plastic strut spindle covering the strut is still spinning. Someone suggested a drag link socket but it's doubtful that would work at this point. If I remove the one bolt and two nuts surrounding the center nut that is giving me the problem and remove the strut w/ spindle from the car, would it be possible for me to grasp the nut fastening the center stud from the other side and then try to spin the top nut off? I have an impact gun with a 1/2 inch driver that I could try on the 15/16th nut on top. Well, if you guys have run into this problem please offer me suggestions! I'm getting pretty frustrated. Thanks.

MustangChris · Apr 3, 2011

not really following your question. but no, you cant get to that nut from the bottom (other side??)

If you have OEM equipment on right now, an impact gun will be your best chance at removing that nut. If that does not work (didnt work on mine) i had to use a grinder to litterally grind away the nut. This destroyed the top of the strut, but I was replacing it anyways.

Slykin · Apr 3, 2011

What we did was take a pipe wrench with some hard rubber wrapped around the strut cylinder to hold it still while we took the nut off. That... or you can cut it off with a grinder.

mustangthusiast · Apr 3, 2011

Thanks guys, brought it to pep boys and they cut the plastic spindle off to access the shaft of the strut, put it in a vice, and zipped the center nut off off...no charge. thanks