5speedz34 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I decided to replace my front struts, rented the tool, etc. Well the T50 they gave me doesn't fit the top of the rod so I had to use a T45 or T40. Well it rounded out.....and those top nuts are in tight. Any advice? EDIT: I tried using vice grips on the strut....no luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 impact wrench is your best friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 impact wrench is your best friend. Don't got one......... EDIT: I'm going to my friend's to borrow one. Do I need to hold the rod or does the impact have enough torque to pull it right off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mra32 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I used a 15/16 offset wrench in addition to an allen key in the hex broach in the top of the strut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 I ended up using my friends impact. Was about to finish them tonight then overfilled it with gear oil. So I figured I would call it quits for tonight. What is the consensus on the oil? I'm going to take the old stuff out. Should I put fresh oil back in or should I just leave it dry? I thinking about leaving it dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Dont leave it dry.. You need to have it in there for noise dampening reasons.. You cant really overfill it as the extra just overflows out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Dont leave it dry.. You need to have it in there for noise dampening reasons.. You cant really overfill it as the extra just overflows out. Well.....I don't want oil sitting on top of the lower spring bearing and it was sitting on top of the rubber seal for my KYB. Everything I've heard is the oil is there because the OEM shocks are not gas charged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Dont leave it dry.. You need to have it in there for noise dampening reasons.. You cant really overfill it as the extra just overflows out. Well.....I don't want oil sitting on top of the lower spring bearing and it was sitting on top of the rubber seal for my KYB. Everything I've heard is the oil is there because the OEM shocks are not gas charged. Yes, the the aftermarket manufactures say keep some oil in there... It really does dampen some noise. And the only side effect of oil getting on the lower spring seat bearing is it will move more freely, seeming they are known to bind up since people never replace them. If your worried about it that much, do what i have done, just hose the oil off of stuff with brake parts cleaner.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 make your vise grips tighter And I didn't leave any oil in (on 3 dfifferent cars now), with no adverse effects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 make your vise grips tighter And I didn't leave any oil in (on 3 dfifferent cars now), with no adverse effects you should, as it is on the instructions of all aftermarket struts. also one car had an issue with a strut that actually I use the heaviest oil I have on hand at the time I mess with the struts. there are cars I've done with 90w150 gear oil in them... you have to force the strut down into the oily molasses.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 I've done it both ways so far, with no ill effects either way. on my old z34 I went out of my way to remove all the oil, and 50,000 later when I decommissioned the car I have no abnormal noises or wear. on my euro I just slammed the new strut in there because I didn't want to be bothered with removing the oil. on my new z34, I had the knuckles out of the car and the springs off, so I just dumped it out. Front end of that car is quiet as a church mouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94GPGTP Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 In the directions that nobody really reads. It also states itsthere for heat dissipation. Spelling might be wrong?? But the oil is used for heat transfer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 The instructions I have say to take it out. I decided to change it. Last night I guess I overfilled it. There is a huge puddle under the front tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Alright I replaced the oil......no biggie. Both struts are back in but the one I fucked the threads up on trying to use the stupid extension rod they give you in the kit. What is the best way to move the cartridge around while getting the jounce bumper and upper bushing back on. For the life of me I cannot move it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Alright I replaced the oil......no biggie. Both struts are back in but the one I fucked the threads up on trying to use the stupid extension rod they give you in the kit. What is the best way to move the cartridge around while getting the jounce bumper and upper bushing back on. For the life of me I cannot move it down. I spent half an hour with a rubber mallet getting that thing in there. Jacking up the car might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 I shouldn't have a problem jacking up the car now that both struts are in position and tightened down right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 I shouldn't have a problem jacking up the car now that both struts are in position and tightened down right? Right. It was easier for me to get that bumper in there as there's less of a load from the shock pushing upward when the car is lifted a bit. Not sure if its the correct way to do it, but it sure worked for me, for the 2 times I've replaced the front shocks on the regal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 This should work for both the jounce bumper and the big bushing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrMichi Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Never use a straw to take out the oil or else you might swallow some . is there a way to add oil without removing the whole thing again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 This should work for both the jounce bumper and the big bushing? I'm referring to the mount. Its the big cylindrical piece of rubber that the shock is bolted onto at the top. You're trying to slide that down into the hole, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 This should work for both the jounce bumper and the big bushing? I'm referring to the mount. Its the big cylindrical piece of rubber that the shock is bolted onto at the top. You're trying to slide that down into the hole, right? Both that and the accordion looking thing that goes beneath it. Never use a straw to take out the oil or else you might swallow some . is there a way to add oil without removing the whole thing again? My drivers side was basically gone from sitting upside down. The passenger side needed to be changed. Usually I would use a suction gun but I couldn't find mine so I did the Crazy K method. Paper towel and a straightened out wire hanger with a hook at the end did the trick for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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