Pass-Through Sockets

[atomant48]

As above. I had to replace the struts and springs on my car last week. This is the second time I've done it (ie second car) and both times I've had the same problem - how to hold the strut "rod" - it has an internal hex thread - while loosening/tightening the main nut. The issue is the nut is in a deep recess and although a deep socket easily fits you can't then get a hex key in.

I've managed both times by cutting a socket in half and welding it to a piece of steel bar with a hole drilled in to line up with the socket. This gives a hole to pass the hex key through and it works a treat. Issue is that this car was different size socket to the last one so I don't know how long my socket set will last!

Anyway after a bit of google action it looks like a "pass through socket" is the answer - they have an external hex on the socket rather than a square drive and then a thing like a ratchet spanner is used to drive the socket.

Is this what other people use or is there another way? I'm guessing a rattle gun might spin the nut without turning the shaft but I'm not sure how you'd ever know it was tight ?

 

[the snooper]

I usually just whip them off with an impact gun, it usually shifts them no problem and they tighten up the same way

 

[doubleboost]

As above. I had to replace the struts and springs on my car last week. This is the second time I've done it (ie second car) and both times I've had the same problem - how to hold the strut "rod" - it has an internal hex thread - while loosening/tightening the main nut. The issue is the nut is in a deep recess and although a deep socket easily fits you can't then get a hex key in.

I've managed both times by cutting a socket in half and welding it to a piece of steel bar with a hole drilled in to line up with the socket. This gives a hole to pass the hex key through and it works a treat. Issue is that this car was different size socket to the last one so I don't know how long my socket set will last!

Anyway after a bit of google action it looks like a "pass through socket" is the answer - they have an external hex on the socket rather than a square drive and then a thing like a ratchet spanner is used to drive the socket.

Is this what other people use or is there another way? I'm guessing a rattle gun might spin the nut without turning the shaft but I'm not sure how you'd ever know it was tight ?

After using "rattle" guns for many years you know when something is tight

 

[Fazerruss]

Box spanner

 

[Cyberprog]

Buy a set of cheapo sockets to cut up for such jobs!

 

[T0rnado69]

swan neck spanners

 

[atomant48]

Box spanner

Got a set of them but it's too deep to get it in.

 

[atomant48]

Buy a set of cheapo sockets to cut up for such jobs!

Yep! Just the job for a top quality Silverline set I had lying about!

 

[atomant48]

After using "rattle" guns for many years you know when something is tight

That seems to be the answer then. Need another tool!

 

[graffian]

I have a combination spanner welded to an old socket for the nuts on struts.

 

[Coo]

I have a Halfords Vortex pass through socket set, bought just for doing that job, makes life far easier !

http://www.halfords.com/motoring-tr...d-professional-19-piece-vortex-socket-set-1-2

 

[ibrooks]

I've got the same thing but Clarke branded before Halfords started selling them. Perfectly adequate socket set on it's own if a little difficult to get odds and sods for but there are times like the one mentioned where it becomes invaluable.

That said...... if I could put my hands on the designers that still put hex sockets in the end of a balljoint or similar for you to hold it whilst removing a nut that's been exposed to road grime for the last few years I might end up doing time for what I'd do to them. I think removing these things intact on older cars should count as cruel and unusual punishment.

Iain

 

[the snooper]

I've got the same thing but Clarke branded before Halfords started selling them. Perfectly adequate socket set on it's own if a little difficult to get odds and sods for but there are times like the one mentioned where it becomes invaluable.

That said...... if I could put my hands on the designers that still put hex sockets in the end of a balljoint or similar for you to hold it whilst removing a nut that's been exposed to road grime for the last few years I might end up doing time for what I'd do to them. I think removing these things intact on older cars should count as cruel and unusual punishment.

Iain

if the ball joint has had it and is not playing ball i just cut the nut off

 

[God mode restorations]

Halford vortex sockets...got a set and they are really handy for such jobs..but just check the size of the strut nut as Halfords set only goes up to 19mm...

 

[atomant48]

if the ball joint has had it and is not playing ball i just cut the nut off

That's kind of what I ended up doing - I drilled a 8mm hole into the end of the strut to loosen the thread and then spun the nut off. I was replacing the shock with the spring anyway.

Ironically, I bought the car brand new about 10yrs ago and the first time I opened the bonnet - a few months after buying I guess, I noticed that the strut tops and nuts were already going rusty. They are a perfect little bowl for water to sit in and had no rubber covers or anything. Now 10 yrs on that little observation has come back to haunt me!

 

[captain-destructo]

windy gun!!!! and an extra pair of eyes to watch where all the bits go flying tooooo

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Its rare there isn't a second but or retaining device after the main nut tbh. As above, always air gun them off and on just check with a spanner and Allen wrench.

I have several times used a pair of vice grips with plastic jaws to grip the very top of the chrome rod as the likelihood of it ever Seeing the seal in the shock!

 

[AndyStobbs]

You can pull the bottom out bumper out of the top mount and get to the stainless damper rod with mole grips for really tight ones. Ford fiesta shocks seem to get really rusty on the top nut and normally a little heat helps the impact gun do its stuff.

 

[atomant48]

Ford fiesta shocks seem to get really rusty on the top nut

Yep it is one of those.

 

[atomant48]

just check with a spanner and Allen wrench.

That's the point - can't get a spanner in there. Anyway, problem solved now. New shocks should outlast the rest of the car now!