Trouble assembling strut...

[Ken35i]

Howdy,

Almost exactly like my last thread...
here. (http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40008)
I'm trying to do up this nut on my rear shocker but the friggen shaft is turning with the nut. I can't really hold the shaft in place with anything because the nut isn't far down enough :-/. And I can't hold the shaft in place with clamps/wrench's.
Any ideas? :(
Picture below...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/kenskee/rearstrut1.jpg

[Ken35i]

Hmm. Kinda managed to get one on. But chewed the hell out of the top bit (6mm squared off bit).

[Rus]

Try using some needlenose pliers wrapped in electrical tape below the nut. From the picture it looks as if there is a bit of space below the nut to grasp with thin pliers. Then once the top of the shaft is above the nut, use the needle nose pliers on top. HTH

[Dave M]

If you have an impact wrench (electric or air), give it a quick shot.

Dave

[Ross]

You can grab the top of the rod through the spring with a vise grip and a rag, the shock never compresses that far so don't worry if you bugger it up a bit.

[Ken35i]

You can grab the top of the rod through the spring with a vise grip and a rag, the shock never compresses that far so don't worry if you bugger it up a bit.

This worked for a bit but the grip just wasn't strong enough. But enough to expose the squared off bit at the top a bit more then I used a shifter on it.

Thanks all. :)

[vping]

I'm in the middle of doing mine and luckily, like the OE ones, the KYB's I got have a hole for an allen key to fit into. I cannot use the impact but at least I can hold both into place while I tighten. How about a piece of rubber in some channel locks on the shaft until you can get it down farther.

[Ken35i]

The fronts (both stock and Bilstiens) have the hex socket at the top of the stem. WAY easier. The rears don't. Though i've only seen Bilstien rears.

[bad_manners_god]

You can grab the top of the rod through the spring with a vise grip and a rag, the shock never compresses that far so don't worry if you bugger it up a bit.

+1....very common method at our garage, works well too. Usually an impact and holding the shaft with your hand will suffice to get the job done.

[Ken35i]

These new nyloc nuts grip the thread pretty damn well. I had vice grips on the shocker shaft pretty f'ing tight and it still spun doing up this nut...I wonder if they are THAT necessary. I think a 'flared' nut and LocTite should suffice.

[Dave M]

These new nyloc nuts grip the thread pretty damn well. I had vice grips on the shocker shaft pretty f'ing tight and it still spun doing up this nut...I wonder if they are THAT necessary. I think a 'flared' nut and LocTite should suffice.


I'd hate to give advice that ended in a broken shock shelf, but if it was that difficult to perform a simple task, I'd be tempted to spin on two plain jane metric nuts and lock em together.

But thats me ;)

Dave

[632 Regal]

Loctite trick will work. could also put a reg nut on there and drive to a shop that has an impact gun and have it done right.
These new nyloc nuts grip the thread pretty damn well. I had vice grips on the shocker shaft pretty f'ing tight and it still spun doing up this nut...I wonder if they are THAT necessary. I think a 'flared' nut and LocTite should suffice.

[Tiger]

I would put it on the old struts to expand the nylock a bit and then try again. Never had any problem installing new nuts.

[Ross]

The purpose of any "prevailing torque" fastener is to be tight. They are also intended for a single use.
With as much difficulty as the OP had I'll say the threads were buggered a bit. Too late now but Dave's advice was a simple solution.

[Ken35i]

The purpose of any "prevailing torque" fastener is to be tight. They are also intended for a single use.
With as much difficulty as the OP had I'll say the threads were buggered a bit. Too late now but Dave's advice was a simple solution.

Not too late. Had to do some Christmas shopping for myself yesturday...;)
I've only done one, haven't attached it to the car yet and it hasn't been torqued right. The threads are a little bit rusted just from sitting in the shed and a cold breeze blowing in (having winter weather in summer atm.) but I've cleaned them up best I could.
Just thinking later on down the track when I'll need to pull it appart again for anything (upgrades :p) and I'll be kicking my self trying to undo the nut on this.