How to tighten strut

[loudexhaust]

I'm replacing the struts on my 91. When I try t tighten the rod, the piston just spins. How do I get this thing tight?

 

[Wallzy]

Use an impact gun.

 

[87'GTstang]

Use an impact gun.

Ditto. You need the instantaneous torque of something like an impact gun.

 

[ninety15.0]

Well what i did was take the largest flat head screw driver you have and a set of vice grips. Put the flat head in the slot on the top of the strut piston. Then take the vice grips and grab the shaft of the screwdriver down really low. Then just take a box end wrench and tighten the strut piston nut while using the vicegrips and screwdriver to hold the piston steady. Worked for me when i did my caster camber plates in my apartment parking lot without air tools. An impact gun works wonderfully!! But sometimes all you have is hand tools...good luck man

 

[ShortThrow50]

I bought a 75 dollar cordless impact wrench from pep boys that has 200 pounds of torque. I Bought it after wrestling for an hour trying to do what you trying to do. Brought it home, charged it up for about 10 minutes, and BLAMMM! Blew that *****er right off. Works great putting the new ones on too

 

[HISSIN50]

Ninety15.0's method is how I've been doing them for awhile. If you have a set of prybars that are like a long flat-head screwdriver with a bend near the tip, they fit the slot nicely and provide good leverage.

Good luck.

 

[larrendeuce]

There is a tool called a drag link socket, looks kinda like a flat head but its thicker and made just for this job. Should be able to get one from snap on, matco, or even try craftsman.