Strut assembly question.

[19Cutlass94]

Ok, I found something thats loose, but I have a couple questions before I try to tighten it up. First off, the nut by the lower spring seat is not as tight as it should be. Is it OK to just put a cresent wrench on it and go to town? Because I dont know what 'special' tool might be needed, and I have to get inbetween the coils of the spring. The car is sitting in the garage. But is it ok to tighten that with the load of the car on it? Or does that corner need to have no weight on it? Im just asking because Ive never done this before. TIA

[Guest TurboSedan]

the nut by the lower spring seat?

[19Cutlass94]

yes. The GM service manual says it should be turqued to 85 ft-lbs. I dont know what its torqued to now, but I know its loose because its moving. I can photocpoy the page out of the book if needed.

[Pabz]

Are you talking about the "nut" that requires the strut cartridge removal tool?

 

 

 

 

[19Cutlass94]

I dont know if it requires a tool or not. Its not on top, by the bearing plate/upper spring mount. Its by the lower spring mount. Its a thin sliver nut. If you lift up the dust boot inside the spring, youll see it.

[Pabz]

Ya thats the strut cartridge nut, you'll need a tool like

 

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=12168&group_ID=1635

 

Here is the guy using it

 

http://www.shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=191

 

make sure the wheels stay on the ground!

[19Cutlass94]

The car is sitting the garage, its not coming off the ground

 

 

Well I guess its off to autozone to see if I can rent one, or off to the garage to see if I can tighten it without the tool.