How to remove front suspension top mounts

[Fantom]

Ok yes it's a stupid question. I've got both bottom bolts out but the top mount nuts are incredibly tight.
Just want to know if there is a technique or special tool I can use? It's hard to do it as I need to also hold an adjustable spanner on the flat above the nut also.
Going to buy a better spanner
Is this the right one or is there a better design?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=301582962000&globalID=EBAY-GB

Thanks for any help

 

[JamesBryan]

You're best loosening the top mount while the car is on the ground, so that there is less load on the mount.

They usually require an impact gun just to buzz them off though.

 

[Fantom]

Can't put car on the ground no wheels anymore

 

[masekwm]

Can't you get an allen key in the strut to release it?

 

[Fantom]

It's not the standard suspension so no Allen key. It's similar but need a spanner instead. Tried turning both together as hard as possible but it ain't going anywhere!

 

[bloke]

buzz gun

 

[dann2707]

Can't put car on the ground 😧 no wheels anymore

Jack under the wishbone. Impact gun makes it a million times easier

 

[Fantom]

Yes I could do that. Will give it a try. Don't have an impact gun so will have to use strength of the bear

 

[DannyR]

Bar will just spin the shock.

Somebody must have one local.

Pity as I was down your way Saturday do you work closer to the border at all?

 

[Fantom]

I can't drive the car as I'm stripping it. It will never drive again lol

The shock won't spin if I have a spanner on the other part. Will it stop spinning so much if I jack it up from underneath to put some load on it?

People saying use a buzz gun, surely the shock will just spin anyway

 

[bloke]

will turn a bit but will still pull the nut off no problem.

 

[DannyR]

I can't drive the car as I'm stripping it. It will never drive again lol

The shock won't spin if I have a spanner on the other part. Will it stop spinning so much if I jack it up from underneath to put some load on it?

People saying use a buzz gun, surely the shock will just spin anyway

I could lend you the gun if you work further north at all was what I was meaning!

 

[Gus]

Its really hard/impossible without an impact wwrench. I tried all sorts, various swan neck spanners, allen key in the top bit to no avail. I tapped with a hammer, then tried a blow torch but gave up and went to a local garage who had an impact air gun and had it off in 10 seconds.

 

[dablk]

Yep.. As everyone else has said. I had to buy a cheap electric impact gun to do mine. Took seconds after that.

 

[Fantom]

Ok. So anyone near Wickford wanna do me a favour?
Don't really want to buy one as I'll probably never use it again

 

[bozothenutter]

won't using an impact wrench spin the shaft ruining the seals?

 

[Chrisgti6]

won't using an impact wrench spin the shaft ruining the seals?

Not normally, the tend to undo the nut before the shaft moves.

 

[smac4494]

Get the swan neck spanner on the top mount, Weld a spare wheel bolt on top of the exposed thread (as if you were removing a sheared bolt, Get a big as breaker bar on the bolt and lean your body against it. Apply strength of moderately brawny panda to swan neck. As soon as its loose grind the welds to get the spare bolt off.

Worse case, you lose a mm thread

 

[DannyR]

If he doesn't have a battery impact gun do you really think he's going to have a welder?

 

[leeds2592]

Buy impact gun, be careful when using, then just take it back?

 

[Budgie]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Powerful-...182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa012f16e

Honestly, the best money i've ever spent on tools. Had mine 3 years and it's been brilliant for the cash..

 

[dann2707]

Buy impact gun, be careful when using, then just take it back?

I think you dad is using your account mate haha

 

[leeds2592]

I think you dad is using your account mate :wink: haha

Swear I'm turning into him more and more everyday!

 

[Fantom]

If he doesn't have a battery impact gun do you really think he's going to have a welder?

Well actually, my brother does have a decent welder!
However I'm going to be selling this suspension so I'd like to leave it good condition.
Tempted by an impact gun as it will help me out with other stuff in the future but it's not really something I need that much

I'll try jacking it up tonight and see how that goes

 

[smac4494]

If he doesn't have a battery impact gun do you really think he's going to have a welder?

You're looking at £250+ for a decent impact gun. £75 for a budget stick welder. Welders work no matter what the price but if you buy a cheap impact gun you're going to be using breaker bars for everything anyways. I was using the logic that money and time was a factor.

 

[172_Tom]

Try some PlusGas - has helped me free off stubborn things a number of times - including the front shocks on my car with hand tools.

 

[Fantom]

All sorted guys. I jacked it up to compress the shock a bit, and my dad remembered he had an impact wrench last used about 30 years ago!
Few whacks of the hammer and hey presto.
Thanks for all your help

 

[DannyR]

You're looking at £250+ for a decent impact gun. £75 for a budget stick welder. Welders work no matter what the price but if you buy a cheap impact gun you're going to be using breaker bars for everything anyways. I was using the logic that money and time was a factor.

LOL f**k Off.

I bought my Sealey reconditioned one 7 years ago for £85, it's been chucked, dropped, rattled like f**k and it still goes strong. I've not even oiled it once, and it's never seen an issue.

 

[smac4494]

LOL f**k Off

No thank you.

I bought my Sealey reconditioned one 7 years ago for £85

Good for you. Can you tell me where these £85 miracle guns are on sale? Or do you think you got lucky? "Buy cheap, buy twice"

 

[DannyR]

My friend bought one too and has had no issues.

This is for a brand new one, mine was a reconditioned one Sealey 24V 1/2-inch 325ft Square Drive Cordless Impact Wrench with Battery https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RUA0W6/?tag=cliospnet01-21

Sealey also came second to Snap on in reviews at the time.