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How the hell do I get this nut off!!

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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 01:45 PM
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Default How the hell do I get this nut off!!

I'm putting different springs on my car. I've got the front spring/shock assembly off. I've got the springs compressed. There is a 15mm nut at the top of the assembly that is rusted on. How can I get this nut off? I'm reusing that stock decarbons till I can get new struts so I can't destroy the threads or nut. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jason
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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do you know anybody with air tools such as an impact wrench?If so call them over and have the beer ready.If not then you will need to lube the hell out of them and let them sit.Try some break fluid to break away the rust.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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Thanks, I'll give the break cleaner a try. I can turn the nut but it's not the nut that's turning, so what is it that's turning?

On my way back outside, I'll check back in a few.

Thanks,
Jason
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:02 PM
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Hate to say it, but you're probably going to have to destroy the shock to get the nut off. I have air tools and nothing I did could get that nut out, it was totally rusted on there. I had to sawzall the shaft of the shock to get everything apart, so I had to replace the shocks (should be doing that anyway ). Good luck!
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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its the shock turning...the only other way would be to use a towel and a pair of vice grips to try to hold the shock shaft from turning
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:05 PM
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Use vice grips, and a hand torch, to heat up the nut.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:25 PM
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I keep hearing to hold the shaft with some vice grips to keep it from turning but I can't see the shaft. Let me go take a pic and I'll post it up.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:33 PM
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Wrap something like a small piece of rubber around the shaft to protest the threds. Hopefully it will hold enough to get the nut off without destroying the threads
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:34 PM
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Now what shaft is it that ya'll are talking about?
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:43 PM
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How bout a pic of the nut you are trying to take off
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:43 PM
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PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench... (available at local parts stores everywhere)

Priceless items for non-airtool people..
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:49 PM
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Here you go...

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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by H8 LUZN
PB Blaster... (available at local parts stores everywhere)

Priceless items for non-airtool people..
I've used a can of the stuff already. That's what you see in the pics...PB Blaster.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 02:59 PM
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ah i forgot that cover was on there.......you will have to try and hold it from the top and use a wrench to try to get the nut off
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 03:19 PM
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What I did:

1) Set a 15mm box wrench on the nut (need to do this first, otherwise you'll have to use the open end of a wrench and won't get as good a grip)
2) Clamp an adjustable crescent wrench onto the flat part on the shaft. That part you see just above the nut is where you should grab.
3) Lay the shock on the ground sideways in front of you
4) Roll the shock until the crescent wrench's handle rests on the ground. Now you have the Earth as leverage. It won't move.
5) Put on gloves
6) Get a good grip on the wrench and PULL

If it's really frozen (which it very well could be) your option are an impact wrench or a sawzall.

Where are you located? I ask because I have two full sets of shocks in my garage (stock deCarbons and KYB GasAJusts), so if you're anywhere close to Houston, and you have to mess up your shock, I can help you out.


-Mike
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 03:33 PM
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Well I went to the hardware shop and rented an impact wrench. The whole shaft is turning.

I'll try the box wrench idea.

If that don't work, how much would it be for the decarbons? I'm in Springfield, Illinois.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 04:12 PM
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If you end up needing them, PM me. We'll work something out.


-Mike
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 04:21 PM
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whoa..saw that pic. Your best bet is to try Chuprokabra's way of getting it off. Looks pretty nasty rusted, also use a wire brush to get some of the surface rust off too. And heat, heat it up while using the wrench's.

Ski
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 04:22 PM
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I know you're not supposed to, but why don't you try taking the spring compressors off the spring so there will be a load applied to the part that is spinning. Then, just lay the shock/spring assembly on the floor, hold it in place with your foot, and break loose the nut? Only do this to break the nut loose, do not completely remove the nut without compressing the springs. Once the nut has been broken free, compress the spring, and remove it completely.
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Old Apr 15, 2006 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Krab
I know you're not supposed to, but why don't you try taking the spring compressors off the spring so there will be a load applied to the part that is spinning. Then, just lay the shock/spring assembly on the floor, hold it in place with your foot, and break loose the nut? Only do this to break the nut loose, do not completely remove the nut without compressing the springs. Once the nut has been broken free, compress the spring, and remove it completely.


I have tried that before with no luck.......everything still spun
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