Removing front suspension top nuts

[Andybluenoes]

Trying to change the front springs but cant undo the top nuts.
Soaked them in plusgas and wd40 trying to use a 21mm swan neck ring spanner and a 6mm allen key but they just wont budge!!

 

[The Russian.]

Air gun and buzz them off wound be The easiest bet.

 

[Andybluenoes]

I guess so. ..I'll have to find a garage that will loosen them for me

 

[Bobby.]

If the Allen key hasn't slipped yet give it some more welly, they should come loose.

Also clean the threads up abit with a wire brush if their covered in s**t, then spray some more wd40 on them.

 

[Andybluenoes]

The threads look fairly clean. Allen key bends so much when I am trying it it looks like its going to snap....

 

[Bobby.]

Sounds like you've got Mickey Mouse tools lol. Have you got some sort of little pole you can use to put over the Allen key? That'll give you more leverage and strengthen it a little.

 

[Andybluenoes]

This is not working. ...

 

[Andybluenoes]

Yep definitely not....

 

[Gray]

This is not working. ...

If that isn't working it's time to find a friend with an impact gun.

 

[Wick]

Mine were the same mate, sometimes they go and sometimes you just need a buzz gun lol!

 

[Andybluenoes]

Won't using a gun just turn the spring though

 

[Bobby.]

LOL!

Yep, an airgun would be best.

If you can't get hold of one though, next you could try an adjustable spanner on that bit of the snapped Allen key.

 

[The Russian.]

Where are you located?

 

[Andybluenoes]

Im in Manchester

 

[Bobby.]

No a airgun works very differently, its hard to explain how it works though.

 

[Andybluenoes]

Ok. I suppose I shouldn't be a cheapskate and let the garage do it...80 quid plus vat for fitting the front ones

 

[Bobby.]

It's very bad practice and I shouldn't really advise it but you can grip the shaft with some grips near the top to help stop the shaft turning.

But like said, it would be better to just go to a garage and ask them nicely to just buzz them off quick, their probably do it for free.

Is the car mobile still?

 

[Andybluenoes]

Yeah cars fine. I changed the back springs to as one had broken at mot.
Bought a full set as to replace just one was 80 quid odd at Renault.
Thought the best option was a full set of eibachs cost wise.
Might just nip to garage on Tuesday and ask them to loosen them off.
Im thinking the lower bolts will be a pig too but not looked yet since I cant even get the top ones undone

 

[Bobby.]

Have you got spring compresser tools? Your need them.

 

[Andybluenoes]

Yeah ive got a couple of them. Changed the springs on my old mx5 a few times. ..nice n easy on that lol

 

[Wick]

To reassure you, once, these are off it is a very easy job lol. 2 bolts at the bottom of each strut, and the rears take all of 20 minutes.

 

[Bobby.]

Lol! That's alright then. Tbh their not that bad to do if you've got the right tools for job

 

[Andybluenoes]

Lol yeah. It looks really straight forward. Frustrating as hell not being able to undo a bloody bolt

 

[James28]

Yea just pop to a garage and get them to buzz it off, then loosely fit it back so you can get it home and do it yourself.
Don't actually pay them to do the whole thing lol.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Should have gone to kwik fit, got them to take them off, and then put them back.

You don't need spring compressors for these.

 

[Andybluenoes]

Really? The new springs look too long to fit without compressing when you hold them by the side of the car

 

[James28]

Sports don't need compressors. Non sports do.

 

[Andybluenoes]

With all the turning of the spring while trying to undo the nut...im guessing I've somehow misaligned it...its clonking at every single bump in the road now

 

[Tony Hunter]

It won't be sat in the platform correctly, now you've been fiddling with it.

 

[Andybluenoes]

Thanks...I guessed as much. Will take the wheel off tomorrow and try and twist it back into place.

 

[cs_dave]

Fill the mount with wd 40 leave over night will come away fairly easy as it won't just disappear

 

[montana]

Its not jacked up is it when trying to undo ? Will be easier with the car on the ground.

​Also don't bother with the Allen key , with the weight of the car on the ground it should be enough to crack it off , then use the allen key.

 

[Feates172]

Just buy one of these

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...&productId=530655&categoryId=165469&langId=-1

Job done. And your always have it to hand for future jobs etc.

Also good for removing disc screws etc.

 

[Andybluenoes]

No, being trying with it on the ground. Ive filled the top with wd40 will have a quick go at it tomorrow.
​Can you use normal sockets with that tool Feates?

 

[James28]

Its not jacked up is it when trying to undo ? Will be easier with the car on the ground.

​Also don't bother with the Allen key , with the weight of the car on the ground it should be enough to crack it off , then use the allen key.

This is a good point.

 

[cs_dave]

I used a 21 socket and ground to sides flat for an adjustable to go on

 

[Feates172]

No, being trying with it on the ground. Ive filled the top with wd40 will have a quick go at it tomorrow.
​Can you use normal sockets with that tool Feates?

Yeah. The end pulls off, so you can fit sockets to it.

 

[James28]

Spark plug socket, adjustable spanner on top. Long pole on end. Done

 

[Andybluenoes]

Spark plug socket, adjustable spanner on top. Long pole on end. Done

Wont that just turn the spring?

 

[Tony Hunter]

Get down to fkn Kwik fit!!, they are open today.