I am trying to replace the front struts on my 85. I have the pass side strut out, but the nut at the top is stuck on there tight. There is a slot in the top of the strut rod, looks like its for a big screwdriver. I bought the biggest screwdriver I could find, and tried to hold it in the slot while I turned the nut at the top, but I can't get it to break loose. Anyone have any ideas? Its sitting outside on a jackstand and I need to have it back together ASAP.
you really need to hit the nut with short bursts from an impact gun. thats the easiest way to do it, never tried any other way. same for installation
Put some PB Blaster on the nut and let it sit over night.
Ok, cool. Thanks.
I used a tire iron (the ones with a huge flad head on one side) to hold the strut rod while I turned the nut
If you have one it'll give you a bit more leverage than a regular screw driver
Hex shafted screw driver. Sometime you can get them with a 3/8" hex, then you can put a wrench or crescent on them.
Most Craftsman screwdrivers are squared
you have to lay a flat bar steel inside the flat head screw driver part,,, like 12'' long,, then use your wrench to loosen the nut.
there are several top designs of the strut connection,, some are round shaft with straight slot and some are hex at the top and some are hex with a straight slot.
either way lay a flat bar inside the slot so it and your wrench have leverage to loosen it.
That is a really good idea!!!
Normally a good impact will remove that nut. If you are not using an impact find a friend that has one and spin that nut off. Trying to do it without one normally wont work. BUT If you are not using the strut again and are replacing it clamp a couple of vice grips to the shaft inside one of the coils of the spring and spin the nut off. Also a little heat can go a long way. Also remember to change the strut plates. That is very important. Or get a tie rod end screwdriver but if you are not using an impact most likely will not come off.
What do you mean strut plates?
Are you talking about the strut mounts?
The top plates they always rot out and can cause issues. They have the bearings and rubber mountings
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Thunderbird-Caster-Camber-Plates-1983-1988-P258.aspx
I had the same problem when I changed my struts so I went to autozone and bought an electric impact gun. It was $60 but I paid $40 because I had a $20 credit on my autozone card. It took those strut nuts off instantly and now taking wheels off is so quick using it. Well worth the money and highly recommended.
I've had this problem in salvage yards...I learned to carry a full can of PB blaster (WD-40 is piss water and won't work) and a big-assed pair of vice grips, not cheap ones, but actual Vice Grip brand.
Having a breaker bar helps too, but nothing beats a good ole impact gun.
the strut skirt down below is in the way to vise grip the thing to stay still. I ruined my strut skirts doing this on my white coug long time ago.
got a good source on the strut plates?