Removing strut nut

[ScottAndrews]

I am in the process of disassembling my front struts for rebuilding. The strut is held to the shock mount with a 30 mm nut. The strut top has two flats. In past, doing this on my 635 with Bilsteins, the top of the strut may've been different (maybe a hex key?). I think these are Konis.

Anyway, is there a special tool to turn the 30mm nut while holding the flats on the top of the strut. Seems like this should be a fairly common tool, but so far I have no found one this size...

Thoughts I have had:

Grind out an opening on a long 30 mm socket

grind flats on the 30 mm socket, and make some sort of double D shaped socket for the strut top...

Or, since I am replacing these struts anyway, do I just use a pipe wrench on the strut??

 

[Markos]

I’m not completely following. I don’t think you mean the gland nut.


For the strut bearing, this is the best I could do with one hand…

 

[HB Chris]

Cordless impact wrench is the only way to go!

 

[ScottAndrews]

I suppose I could try that.

Here is what I settled on. I'll report back..

 

[boonies]

That’s what you need Scott. I picked up a set of strut tools that have a through ratchet. It holds the socket on the edges allowing a variety of tools to pass through the center of the socket and ratchet.

 

[ScottAndrews]

That’s what you need Scott. I picked up a set of strut tools that have a through ratchet. It holds the socket on the edges allowing a variety of tools to pass through the center of the socket and ratchet.

Thanks! I looked at a bunch of those, but the ones I found all had too small of a socket. But same basic idea..

Onward!!

 

[bavbob]

I always try to remember to loosen the nut while still on the car. You can use an impact wrench and even if the nut comes off totally, the car is on the ground and the spring is compressed by the car's weight so not an issue. Once the nut is loose but still well-seated, I remove the strut housing and when the time comes to remove the nut, long socket and no effort.