quick question about the front strut top hat
 

i have a question about the main nut at the top of the strut, the one in the middle that holds the strut rod to the top mount, the one that is a b1tch to remove because when you turn it, it spins the shaft and leaves you nowhere.

im talking about this one: https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...ll/front03.jpg

is it safe to remove it while the strut is in the car, without removing everything first? i neglected to install a washer under it when i put my coilovers on before, and its been rattling over big bumps ever since. nothing major, its just starting to get annoying now.

thanks guys

Yes it is safe to remove the nut while your car is down. You would just not want to jack up the car and remove it completely.

Yep, the weight of the vehicle will keep the spring compressed. Does the washer go under the top nut? If so go for it.

yea, the washer goes under the nut. thanks guys, ill update when i get around to doing it

I'd add a second nut also to keep them tight. Mine always used to get loose after a few miles.

You need to use an air powered Impact Gun. It'll zip right off.

btw, i never did have to take out the nut... i just zapped it with an impact gun and tightened it down and it worked. thanks for the help though, the noise is gone now (what a relief lol)

Wow for whoever doing the install by hand, I do not understand how they could ever get that top nut off. Kept spinning the shaft on mine also. I had to bring it to a buddy to remove it with an impact gun also.

If it just spins when trying to remove it you can grip the top of the shaft with visegrips to loosen the nut. :lalala:

You dont think i tried that? haha it tore up watever i was clamping on. there isnt really a solid spot to vice grip it. Or atleast i couldnt find one. But hey i was hungover so who knows. I just dont understand why the fronts dont have the allen key slot like the rears do. Woulda been much easier.

Impacts are the way to go to remove them, You can get an electric impact from harbor freight for like $40 and it makes anything that will spin when you take it off much easier to remove.

I know this is an old thread but would a drill with a hammer setting work similar to an impact driver?

Maybe, but it's more about the fast snap action of the impact that does the work.

cheers, won't hurt to try

Its best to loosen it while the strut is still in the car then it will come off easy.

Toyota Manual says they are not to be reused (wont hold ) they are cheap @ 1.50 try a new set pt #90179‑12145