I tried to help lower my friend's Legacy today but learned that I didn't have the right tool to remove the top nut on the strut. Apparently, I need some sort of deep offset box wrench (17mm). I looked at Craftsman online and they have one with a 45 degree offset box. Will this work? It seems as if the 45 degree offset bend is not enough from what I can imagine. I also checked out Snap on and they have ones with a 60 degree offset box. Will that work? I'd rather not get snap on since they are pricey. Any other options?

 

josh (sneezerboi) and i just "caveman'ed" my strut nut when we lowered my car....

by "caveman'ed" i mean we just used what ever tools i had to take it off...

 

from what I recall all you need is a impact gun and the right size socket to remove the top nut of the strut.

Jon

 

I tried that and all it did was spin.

 

what just spun?

 

i think he means the shaft spun, so u were planning on using an allen wrench to hold it huh? i think u can hold the shaft and use an imact gun, not sure

 

For my 04 WRX I needed to buy a regular(no offset), 17mm deep-socket for the top strut nut. I don't know if this is the same for Legacys, if it's not, then just disregard my post.

 

A strong and quick impact gun works wonders. You might want to hold the shaft with some gloves or something to help keep it from spinning. Usually the impact will take it off in a jiffy.

Using the offset-wrench and an allen key will work, but if the nut was torqued on tight, it is a PITA to get enough power trying to break the nut loose and holding the shaft with the allen key at the same time.

 

WD40?
Prefer IR or Mac impact guns accompanied with strong air. anything else just bytes!

 

i held the shaft and josh removed the top nut...since i had better grip...

 

You can dremel out a notch in a 17mm socket, so you can hold the strut top with an hex key while turning the nut with a socket wrench. Ghetto but it works.

 

i have a gear rachet set so i just put a allen wrench and turned the nut by hand. here's a pic...

 

i got it at sears for like 30 bucks. lol.

 

That looks like what I may need. I was using my Craftsman (IR) 600 ft-lb impact to remove it. I don't know why it didn't come out like it usually should. I tried to remove it using hand tools and you can feel the shaft spin.

 

I moded a socket since most of the time I don't have access to air tools and have changed many springs by myself and it works fine.