ok we're working on my buddies scion xb. sorry if this is brief, we are mid installation.

if you need more details ask... please!!

Anyways, the strut tower bolt came off while driving and the strut slipped slipped out of the tower bracket.

Now we are putting it back together (and its even more of a _____ thanks to air ride!)

But the way the Scion is set up, there are 3 bolts that hold the spring brackets, and one in the middle, which holds the shock. The one that holds the shock in the middle unthreaded while driving, how do I get that _____ back in?

When we put it in as tight as our hands could spin, but it seems like its spinning freely with a wrench.

Its like the bolt is spinning freely and the nut is sitting on top? does that make sense??

Let me know if I didn't do something while installing.

image...

the grid isnt so bad... cuz we bent it with the rachet so we can skrew down straight... but the middle bolt just spins, i can't tighten it down with a rachet.

 

Really the only way to get it tight is with an impact wrench. I know another way if your willing to pull the strut, but its a real PIA.

 

put a jack up behind the wheel, under the strut. jack it up real high as to compress the entire assembly. you should see that the top nut is loose at this point. while turning the top nut you should feel the top plate lock so youshould be able to tighten it without the strut shaft spinning. this method worked for me.

otherwise, you need to remove the strut and compress the spring way down to get the top plat to lock.

edit: oops. forget that you were on bags. i am not very familiar with this kind of setup, but i would imagine that deflating them would yield the same effect. its kind of like "bottoming out" one of the wheels with a jack i think and it seemed to work for me.