I was installing my prodrive red springs last night...and they're really hard to get on. I was having a difficult time compressing them to be able to put the top hat on.

then on the driver's side when I was using the impact gun to tighten down the top hat to the shaft, the nut blew off and took all the threads with it...so my sti strut is effed and done.
what the heck should I do now? i can get a new 04 sti strut from my service dept. and any advice on installing the springs? I still have to do the rears

 

Yes, you can get another strut from the parts dept at suby. Also, go to kragen or autozone, or somewhere like that and rent a spring compressor tool....that is exactly what they are for, installing springs onto struts. The right tool for the job always makes your life easier. Also, check what the torque setting should be for the top hat of the strut(maybe ask the parts guys at the dealership what they recommend). Sounds like you severely over tightened the nut to the point it just pulled the threads off the shaft...or were hoping that tightening the nut would just compress the spring for you as it got tightened down. Either way, a spring compressor tool would have prevented that from happening.

 

well I'm gonna go rent a spring compressor then. didn't know they rented those out. The nut basically just sheared through the threads. I guess just hit it too hard with the gun. Should have taken my time. Well I got a new strut on order I just hope I don't do i again.

 

Don't worry, you won't. The Spring compressor will make that job so easy you will be surprised. Just make sure not to over torque the nut for the top hat. They do have a specific torque setting, so you want to find out what that is first. Maybe ask in a vendor forum what they recommend for that.

 

Well I got them all in. My service manager just said turn down my impact gun one notch and i'd be good. So I ordered a new strut...now I gotta take the front apart again because NOW I know that the new bump stops go INSIDE the strut.