X16XE.Adam
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Registered: 6th Dec 09
Location: Oxford
User status: Offline
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Hi all,
I started fitting my new suspension today, done the rears fine.
When i come to the fronts i need to take the top mounts of to put on the new coilovers, however when i undo the middle nut (or the only nut if strut is removed from chassis) it turns the shaft and not un-doing the nut, ive tried to lock the shaft various ways but still no luck.
Has anyone got a simple way of getting these off?
Thanks Adam
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Stu_22
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Registered: 25th Mar 02
Location: Luton
User status: Offline
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See if you can find a friendly local garage to take it off with a air gun.
If not think there are flats on the top middle you can hold the shaft but its something stupid like 8mm
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Daveskater
Premium Member
Registered: 29th Apr 08
Location: Oxford, UK Drives: Jap wagon
User status: Offline
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There aren't flats on the front struts, just the rears.
It may be that it's rusted up a bit, have a look over and see what the condition is. Also make sure you use spring compressors because otherwise you'll have a face full of top mount and a long trip to A+E. I used compressors and it still shot the mount up a few inches. If you don't have compressors then you can get then from Screwfix Direct, they were about £14 when I got them.
Anyway, if the nut looks like it's rusted on then pour some vinegar into the little cup thing that the nut sits in and leave it overnight. It worked for me and it was rustier than the Titanic before. Came off straight away.
Numberwang!
Originally posted by AlunJ
I like you Dave, you are a man of men
Originally Whatapp'd by Neo
Dave's maybe capable of a drive-by cuddle
Look at my pictures
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barneykarl
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Registered: 29th Jul 06
Location: Stevenage
User status: Offline
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You should be able to get a swan neck ring spanner on the nut first then small socket 8mm ish on to the shaft to hold it while you loosen nut on standard front strut.
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Sean-B
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Registered: 1st May 07
Location: Wolverhampton Drives: 200SX S14a
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quote: Originally posted by barneykarl
You should be able to get a swan neck ring spanner on the nut first then small socket 8mm ish on to the shaft to hold it while you loosen nut on standard front strut.
Know a good place I can get a swan neck spanner, halfrauds don't do them
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mattcape
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Registered: 4th Aug 05
Location: Kings Langley Drives: Astra H
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by barneykarl
You should be able to get a swan neck ring spanner on the nut first then small socket 8mm ish on to the shaft to hold it while you loosen nut on standard front strut.
i done this with my fronts and had no problem.. i did soak the top nut/shaft in wd40 for a good half hour.
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X16XE.Adam
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 09
Location: Oxford
User status: Offline
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Thanks for the replys.
Ive just had another go, i left one mount in wd over night, but they seem to be on there pretty solid. Ive put some vinegar in both cups of the mounts and im going to leave it for a few hours then have another go. The condition of both the mounts are pretty rusty and dirt, so im hoping the vinegar will kill off everything leaving a nice surface and easy to undo 
Adam
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Fro
Member
Registered: 20th Jun 06
Location: Rainham, Essex Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
User status: Offline
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Are your top mounts worth reusing?
I bought new ones and bearings when i fitted my coilovers as they can affect handling if they're shagged.
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X16XE.Adam
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 09
Location: Oxford
User status: Offline
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Im not sure until i get them off really, they seem fine as they are, no noises/knocks. I can get some off another corsa b from the scrappy for £20, is it worth doing that then?
Adam
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Fro
Member
Registered: 20th Jun 06
Location: Rainham, Essex Drives: A3 2.0TDi Sport
User status: Offline
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If you do decide to change them i'd just buy new ones, they shouldnt be too expensive. See how they are when you get them off
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Daveskater
Premium Member
Registered: 29th Apr 08
Location: Oxford, UK Drives: Jap wagon
User status: Offline
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I got some new mounts from a local motor factors (cost about £50 total) but it was only two parts of it, it didn't come with the little cup thing or the bit that goes inbetween the bit the spring sits in or the main top bit. They also didn't come with the circular rubber bits that go on top of the springs.
It'll be easier if I post pics 
What did come in the box is the two bits on the right, minus the rubber bit on the top piece.

This is the part number for the bottom bit, there was nothing at all on the cup so it may come with it, I don't know.

[Edited on 13-12-2009 by Daveskater]
Numberwang!
Originally posted by AlunJ
I like you Dave, you are a man of men
Originally Whatapp'd by Neo
Dave's maybe capable of a drive-by cuddle
Look at my pictures
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X16XE.Adam
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 09
Location: Oxford
User status: Offline
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Ohhhh right thanks for that Dave, by the sound of it then it would be easier if i could use the front mounts i already have, atleast that way i get all the parts
Adam
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Daveskater
Premium Member
Registered: 29th Apr 08
Location: Oxford, UK Drives: Jap wagon
User status: Offline
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In my experience you will need to remove your current mounts anyway, but it would be worth checking them over to make sure they're not falling to pieces and make sure the rubber on the top part of the mount hasn't split.
If you think they look remotely dodgy then replace the main parts, because at the end of the day that mount is the only thing holding the strut and therefore the wheel in place!
Numberwang!
Originally posted by AlunJ
I like you Dave, you are a man of men
Originally Whatapp'd by Neo
Dave's maybe capable of a drive-by cuddle
Look at my pictures
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X16XE.Adam
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 09
Location: Oxford
User status: Offline
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Well i managed to get the nut undone atleast, too dark to remove the strut and don't want to lose all the pieces that go with the top mount 
If i get time tomorrow i'll take them off and check them over, if they are worn then i will get some new ones
Thanks for your help
Adam
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