REZN8R

I don't know if there is a tool for it or not, but removing the top of the strut connection is a pain in the ****! The only way I've found to do it involves a 1/4" extension, a 10mm socket, and a 13/16" spark plug socket. Is there an easier way? I'm changing my struts and that top nut doesn't want to come off.

grafx

Yours is the same year as mine, I didn't have too hard of a time getting mine off like your having. I've heard that some require the use of an impact wrench to loosen the nut. Yours should look the same as mine with a hex hole for an allen wrench in the shaft and a nut right?? Maybe try some penitrating oil.

REZN8R

Actually, the shaft on mine doesn't have a hex hole, just a hex shaped top. I've tried letting WD-40 sink in, but it didn't help. I'm going to try again later today with the tools mentioned above. Hopefully it'll come off.

TomP

The Eastwood company sells a tool for this; it's a "shock socket". http://www.eastwoodcompany.com I'm not sure how it works; it's a two-piece socket. The center holds the little tang of the strut/shock's center post. The outer grips the upper shock/strut nut. But they don't show how it's used!! I don't even know if it'll fit our upper strut nuts.

Let us know how you get it off; and if you have to buy an air compressor & impact wrench

racereno

I had some of those tops with flats on the rod. Vise grips would not hold, cresent didn't fair any better, wrench to fit flats was to small to do anything with in that awkward position. Scratched head for a long time and when my head started hurting...I got a small pipe wrench with a small pipe extension on the handle to hold the rod. It grips tighter the harder you pull..excellent!

REZN8R

I ended up renting an air compressor and impact wrench for about $40. Worked like a charm. I could have had both struts changed in under an hour.

racereno

Great! I'm glad that worked. Unfortunately the impact wrench was my first choice and it just didn't get it, shaft just kept spinning.

REZN8R

The secret is to keep tapping the trigger. Do that about 10-20 times and the nut should come right off. Did you try that?

Randy82WS7

sometimes you can just break the stud off if you use a long extension and a socket, at least that works on the front shocks that mount inside the coil springs on the B body cars in the 70s and 80s

racereno

Using the link TomP gave for Eastwood's, I found the bayonet top shock absorber tool that would have done the trick on my '91 RS's factory struts. Thanks Tom.