Anyone got one i can borrow? I am in the middle of my spring install and I can't get the nut off the top of the strut assembly. i just need a 17mm one for about 30 min. I tried buying one from sears/home depot/osh/and kragen. Most of them haven't even heard of this before haha.

 

oh for the record i thought by just holding on to the strut and then using a normal socket wrench would work but no luck

 

did you ask for one or go look? I wouldn't be surprised if the employees hadn't heard of it, but that doesn't mean they don't have it.

Holding the strut DOES work, but it is very difficult. I used a towel and clamping pliers on the silver part.

 

i used a alan that fit in there (long L shape) and 17mm socket.
vicegrip on both things and turn!
well, tahts when i tightened it back in, when i took it off, i just shot it with a impact drill.

 

ya i told them to look by part number so they couldnt tell me the bs that they didnt have it. Yea if i can't get it I think ill put my old setup back on and run it untill i can either find an impact wrench or order the sockets.

 

i got an offset box wrench from sears for my spring install... try asking for that?

 

impact gun will help a whole lot

 

Impact gun is best option, it'll spin it right off. Other option is a 17mm offset closed-end wrench from Sears along with a vice grip and those rubber jar opener thingies from Target clamped down on the piston tube (high up on the piston tube, your seals will thank you).

 

^^^ya but even that requires the spring to be more compressed than some of the macpherson compressors will compress (wow that was a lot to say) to get the wrench down in there... same problem i had. and if you fight it with any sort of pressure against the tophat, u might crossthread the nut just like mine did.

your best bet once you have equal compression on the springs is vicegrips on a 17mm socket and the 6mm allen key (preferrably with a t-handle) ...IF you dont have access to air and that flat-side mystery tool. good luck, if it starts to get tight near the top, spare yourself and take the struts to a wheel shop with a wall compressor.

 

The only local place I have seen stocking pass-throughs is Lowes. They do a small set ($30ish) with a selection of metric and imperial + a pass through extender.

 

Sears has two different Gearwrench pass-thru sets.

Harbor freight also has a very similar set for a lot less...

 

Most of the employees won't know what you're talking about. But here's a link:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00930049000P

Local pickup is available in my area...