upper strut bearing replacement

[gabestr]

Am I doing this right? the strut is out of the car, springs compressed, and to get off the nut I need to hold down on the piston of the strut itself(underneath the rubber boot) with a large wrench otherwise it just turns. Going to need some better channel locks I think. Is there a simpler way to do this?

BTW I would rather not replace the inserts as they are Bilstein sport with only 60k mines and are still fine.

[esty]

i was not able to break the top nut with a wrench and another tool...i had to borrowed an impact wrench to get mine off...came of in 2 seconds after hours of our trying with hand tools

[ibjettin]

To remove my original struts I used a lock wrench to hold the strut as high up on the strut as possible.

I think my Bilsteins have a hex cap on the top so I was able to use a hex wrench and a regular open end wrench to remove them.

[c.d.iesel]

STEP NUMBER ONE:

LOSEN TOP SHOCK ROD NUT TO END OF THREADS

theN jack up car and proceed any way you want....

assembly - reverse order remove jack stands and

place car back on ground -

NOW TIGHTEN THE SHOCK ROD NUT TILL TIGHT. Replace gray plastic protective cap.

THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR HOLDS THE SHOCK ROD

[gabestr]

Thanks everyone.

STEP NUMBER ONE:

LOSEN TOP SHOCK ROD NUT TO END OF THREADS

Yep I was wondering it that would have made sense, thank you c.d I know for next time

I think my Bilsteins have a hex cap on the top so I was able to use a hex wrench and a regular open end wrench to remove them.

Yes thay are. I don't know how I didn't see that. Looks like a pretty small allen socket but I will give it a shot.

[CJ_AZ]

For what its worth:

Whatever you do - do not grab the shaft of the strut with anything (vise grips, monkey wrench, plyers, etc.). Although it is very tempting you will mess up a brand new strut and possibly cause seal damage.

You are at the point now where you need an impact (electric or air). You will be amazed how quickly it comes apart. Of course the best method is to losen before you start but you can't go back in time now.

[gabestr]

and an open end wrench. Nice of Bilstein to add that.

I only put a few minor scratches on one of the struts. New springs and struts will be in the future I just can't spend any more $ on this project right now and want to get it running.

Looks like the new bearings will lower the car ~1", since I can't use the aluminum spacers anymore. I would like to hold onto these as I don't know what the ride hight will be like when I have the car put back together. Seems like it always rode high in front after I took out the A/C anyway. Were these spacers in fact added to cars with a/c perhaps?

[Pinepig]

The spacers were there for the DOT bumper height requirement. That was it.

Gave the car funny camber ( bad ) and a nose high stance.

Save em if ya want, but take them out.

[gabestr]

even w/ the spacers I don't think it would have hit most SUV's bumpers. A nice over-rider bar might still be in order one of these days if I am going to be paralell parking it.

Thanks I don't fell bad about geting rid of them at all now.