Front Strut top nuts

Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 14

Hi,
I'm trying to change my front shocks, but can't budge the nut on top of the struts on my clio 16v, I've done the job before on another clio and never had these problems.

I am doing it with the car on the floor with a hex bit in the top and a large spanner on the nut, but I'm not gettin anywhere, snapped 2 hex bits trying.

Currently I've just left it with WD40 hopefully penetrating it (I am not confident though). Does anyone have any tips of how to get these fookers off?

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

may sound daft but are you trying to take the strut off the car or change the springs at the mo?

Have you clamped the spring yet? (if thats what your doing)

Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 14

Sorry, I am trying to get the strut assembly off of the car

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

sometimes they just don't shift, which means drillign through the dampers piston.

see if you can get an air gun on it.

heat might help as well.

Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2005 Posts: 14

a local garage said they could try an airgun if I bring it back monday.

But, what happens if you turn the nut without holding the strut still with an allen key, I tried it and it sounded as if the spring was moving!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

it will do if you use a ratchet on it, air gun has instant snap torque so it undos instead of turnign the lot.

Its a crap set up, the old 5 and the 19's etc have a better set up tbh

Level 7 User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 224

yeah i ended up having to drill one of my dampers on the old 1.2 when i changed the shocks it just wouldnt budge!