I went to put my progress springs on today and followed all the guides I could find about doing so. Everything went fine until it came time to remove the 17mm nut on top holding the strut assembly together. I was using an impact wrench and could not get the nut to break free. It kept turning the shaft in the middle. The impact wrench was set at the highest torque. Do you think it could be that my impact wrench just doesn't produce enough torque to break it free? Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. I ran out of time so I figured I'd try to gather some suggestions until I can give it another go.

 

Try using a spring compressor at the same time...

 

u must be doing something wrong. lay the strut on the floor, with the top pointing away from u. stand on the end of it and use the gun to remove the nut.

 

SLVROZ: i was using a spring compressor.

twisty: i assume you mean without a compressor?

i did try without the compressor towards the end just to see if the uncompressed springs might put some tension on it giving me more torque at the nut. no luck.

 

that's odd, I used a cordless impact wrench which only had like 75 ft/lb of torque and had no problem. Try using something to hild the spindle in place. Maybe a vice clamp or something, but be careful not to bend it!

 

get one of those rubber strap wrenches and hold on tight! I think they're like $20 at Sears or most tool stores. I too used an electric impact wrench and had no trouble. Sorry

 

^ Good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

 

Yeah the rubber strap wrench is a good idea. Hadn't thought of that and I will have to try. A friend of mine at work told me that he always losens the nut while the strut is still in the car and then removes it the rest of the way when it's out of the car. I thank you all for your suggestions. I'll give it another go next monday. If it's succesful I'll post some pics. Thanks kids!