Pass-Through Sockets

[Turbo]

I just grip the top of the damper rod with vice grips, never failed to work.

 

[Rig Pig]

I use an offset ring spanner to undo the nut an an allan key to keep the rod still

 

[T0rnado69]

as i said in post 6.

swan neck spanners

 

[Hitch]

Offset ring spanner...or whatever we are going to call them.

 

[graffian]

A ring isn't always deep enough.

 

[atomant48]

as i said in post 6.

swan neck spanners

I'll try to stick up a pic out of interest for you guys. I have these offset spanners but there's not enough room to get them in. The recess is too deep.

The one above looks just the job.

 

[T0rnado69]

i bought a set a year or so ago
to do the same job on an astra mk4.
work fine.....

swan neck spanner on the nut and allen key onto the shaft.


but i guess different cars may have different depths.

 

[Turbo]

Another method I've used in the past is to use a standard socket and use a stilson wrench to turn it, but it leaves teeth marks on the socket.

I'm sure you know but it's easiest to crack the strut rod nut when the car is still on it's wheels. The weight of the car is enough to stop the piston rod turning. That's what I do when I'm giving them a final tighten with the torque wrench.

 

[AndyStobbs]

You can't get to the fiesta top nut with the strut in the vehicle, and you can't get a swan neck/ cranked spanner in. As the OP says its a very deep and narrow channel.

 

[atomant48]

Just found this thread again while I'm killing time at the airport. I was in Sears yesterday buying some more tools I didn't know I needed until I saw them.... They had the "vortex" socket sets I ended up getting last year to solve the original issue in this post. I'll stick a pic up when I get home. Never likely to use the set again, but one of those tools that is worth its weight on the odd occasion you need it.

I don't usually loan tools out, but I'd happily lend this to someone if they ever face the same problem.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I use angled socket spanners -

I've got several sets. Best set are my Facom but also the most expensive. French hypermarkets often sell them reasonably.

 

[winchman]

I think Lidl did them a couple of weeks ago

 

[paulmitchell1984]

i had similar issue on my astra no spanner would fit but sockets would, whirly gun was my final option as you needed to hold shocker to stop it spinning whilst undoing bolt, and i didnt want to use pipe wrench on shock as didnt want it damaging

 

[Pete.]

Offset ring spanner...or whatever we are going to call them.

Deep-cranked spanners.

 

[GW8IZR]

i had similar issue on my astra no spanner would fit but sockets would, whirly gun was my final option as you needed to hold shocker to stop it spinning whilst undoing bolt, and i didnt want to use pipe wrench on shock as didnt want it damaging

I use a tourniquet made from webbing strap , twice round the shock body and a small bar through the webing, twist the bar and it grips the shock without damage. I wedge the bar into the spring and it all stays put without having to hold it while you work on the fastenings.

HTH

 

[normspanners]

swan neck spanners

dont work, too deep recess usually.

 

[ford34/2]

Does the spark pug socket not fit?? it does on Mk 5 Golfs, allen key through the hole, spanner on the socket.

Stan

 

[normspanners]

You can't get to the fiesta top nut with the strut in the vehicle, and you can't get a swan neck/ cranked spanner in. As the OP says its a very deep and narrow channel.

with some shocks the shafts/top nuts get full of water and the only way is grips on the shaft and a nut gun, no way will the allen key have enough torque to undo them, so I usually pull the bump stop down and grip there

Actually you are lucky to get an impact socket in Fiesta ones they are that tight especially when a little rusty, I did pair the other day and someone have used grips previously and not at the top of the insert where the shocker doesnt travel but at the bottom where it was working all the time !!

I use a tourniquet made from webbing strap , twice round the shock body and a small bar through the webing, twist the bar and it grips the shock without damage. I wedge the bar into the spring and it all stays put without having to hold it while you work on the fastenings.

it is not the shock body you have to hold it is the shocker crome shaft which freely turns in the the body .

 

[normspanners]

Some cars like corsas VW etc have second nuts on the end of the strut and 'loose' top mounts ie no separate top mount fastenings, the best way to undo them is a nut gun.

 

[AndyStobbs]

As a rule of thumb, if the top mount is flanged and attached to the car by a number of bolts, then there is no secondary nut on the damper rod.
Conversely if the shock absorber is mounted to the bodywork by a single central nut, then there is usually a secondary nut.
I use heat on the Fiesta ones, makes all the difference.