Help with changing tophats pls!

[Shaggy]

I need to get my top hat off to put on my new strut but I can't get the damper nut off, the shaft just spins with it. The strut is out nd I'm going to have to do this to the new ones I have also. Any help would be muchly appreciated

[Legacy777]

An impact wrench will help in removing that nut. If you don't have an impact wrench, you can try putting a strap wrench around the shaft to keep it from spinning. Sometimes the top of the shaft will have a key for an allen wrench or notch so you can try and keep the shaft from spinning.

If the struts are off the car, be sure to use a spring compressor when removing the top mount.

[07Evolved]

Get one of these...

http://www.harborfreight.com/locking-ch ... 36813.html

It was definitely worth the $9 and can be used for many, many things.

[Florin1]

since they're garbage, just put vice grips on them. Worked for me, and yes make sure you use spring compressor.

[speedmaxx]

an air gun makes the job much much easier...

[Legacy777]

Yeah....if you don't plan to use the strut again....then you can use a chain wrench of vice grips. But if you plan to use the strut again, make sure not to damage the piston rod.

[Apex3]

An impact wrench will help in removing that nut. If you don't have an impact wrench, you can try putting a strap wrench around the shaft to keep it from spinning. Sometimes the top of the shaft will have a key for an allen wrench or notch so you can try and keep the shaft from spinning.

If the struts are off the car, be sure to use a spring compressor when removing the top mount.

In case he missed it the first time around

You can do it without compressing them(I did, might have been on the STi strut come to think of it), but if you don't know it's under pressure it'll be a surprise when the nut comes loose, and it can be dangerous either way