2G Mcpherson strut install problem

[Rock360]

Whats up guys, long time since I needed to post. Trying to install new struts and running into problems (links on the front rusted, now this), so trying to get this nut off, its a really tight fit, and I think I stripped it, the extension and socket are still stuck on it in the pic but what do I do now?? Also, I got spring compressors for the job but do I need that special tool like the manual says just to do the struts?

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[Rock360]

Got it off and yeppers its stripped a medium amount.

 

[o0GuitarKid0o]

Get a pair of decent vice grips and a steel pipe for leverage

Get the vise grip on the nut nice an snugg so you won't slip and strip it even more

Get Out the leverage device (pipe, square tubeing what ever you have available on hand) slip it into the vice grips and pull that bastard!

I bet u get it off in a second
You'll need a new nut though

A braker bar and the proper 6 point socket or 12 point socket is always the best option
Good luck

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Get a longer extension so you can place one hand over the wratchet head and pull with the other. Will give you some more room to work.

 

[Rock360]

Alrighty, thanks...do i need that special tool to seperate the strut from the spring?

 

[PlanZero]

Alrighty, thanks...do i need that special tool to seperate the strut from the spring?

For the rears, no. For the fronts, yes. That's assuming you have stock springs.

 

[chrysler kid]

Soak the bolts in pb blaster before you attempt to loosen them. I mean soak them, wait 5-10 minutes and come back. Every bolt you touch needs to be saturated

If you stripped one I would start searching for a replacement strut mount. If the nut is just rounded you still have a few options for stripped nut and bolt extractors

 

[SXYDSM]

I stripped one of my bolts to it was a real pain to get off I use an impact wrench and I'm going to have to replace the nuts when I put my truck back in. It's not real hard to do yes you do need to rent the spring compressor make sure you tighten the same on both sides of the spring then you need to hold the old strut with a clamp or something why you take the nut off the top of the assembly otherwise I will spend on you its a pain I'm doing this right now on mine too. Replace that top rubber insert if you can I didn't.....good luck with yours.

 

[SXYDSM]

Oh hey take your hatch panels out it will make it easier to get to the bolts around the strut at the top trust me I had to take mine out.

 

[Rock360]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Yea taking that hatch panels off would help alot...hopefully I can get it, theres not much room for vice grips. Got access to a decent amount of tools here at my parents but at the same time its such a small town you have to drive a ways to go to a auto store to rent tools and whatnot.

 

[SXYDSM]

Yeah i work on my own stuff too.. Gotta put my struts bk in now and get heater core and brake drums n shoes replaced..ugh such a pain but i want my Eclipse bk been broke down over a year My best advice watch Eric The Car Guy on youtube

 

[Rock360]

With some help from my dad I got 3 of the struts done, just got the driver front to go. On the rears, and with that nut being pretty stripped, I just put some vice grips on the strut and undid the middle nut and that dropped it. Then the hang up was trying to get the lower portion of the new strut in the bar it goes into by the wheel assembly stuff but with help from my dad he had the idea of me standing, pushing down on the wheel and we got just enough room to get it in (seemed kind of bad to me for the cars suspension but it was okay). The other rear went fast, then the front we had to cut the damn stabilizer link bar and then it was good (had some probls with the new one but, eh it was okay). Didn't need the special tool either just use vice grips to grip the strut bar at the end and undo the nut (put it in a vice to hold it) - though we didnt have it compressed (forgot) and it of course had some of the little parts that go on the strut shoot off, was okay though. So tomorrow I'll try to finish the front on my own. Then she'll just need an alignment and especially to fix the rear camber (got new kumho solstice tires). Old struts were no good btw.

Just sub'd to Eric the Car Guy, yesterday i found this guy named scotty kilmer and he has good vids too.