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Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 2:57 am
by 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
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:04 am
by 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.
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:50 am
by 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.
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 4:31 am
by Florin1
since they're garbage, just put vice grips on them. Worked for me, and yes make sure you use spring compressor.
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 4:33 am
by speedmaxx
an air gun makes the job much much easier...
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:18 pm
by 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.
Re: Help with changing tophats pls!
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:08 pm
by Apex3
Legacy777 wrote: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