I have read that once you remove the spring and shock/strut from your car and after compressing the spring, the nut on on top of the assembly the ( Piston rod lock nut - per the service manual) is a bit of a pain to remove without a impact wrench.

Can one start by loosening this bolt while the assembly is on the car maybe a turn or two? Will this help the ease of removal?

I have read a couple of people did this but I wanted to confirm before I attempted it.


Thanks everyone for your time and any help!

 

IIRC it's pretty easy if you have the small wrench that holds the stud in place while you have another wrench to turn that nut. I think it's only torqued to like 28 ft lbs (just going by memory).

 

What you'll need is an offset wrench:



I got a really cheap but good set at Harbor Freight and it will allow you to hold the piston in place while you turn the bolt.

 

The top of the shaft has two flats on which you apply an open-ended wrench. This holds the shaft while you use the above offset box-end wrench to loosen the nut.

 

Thanks...will be doing it once my clamshell single action spring compressor is delivered. Gonna head to the store for the offset wrench...