Hey guys,

I am about to replace my front strut assembly and I have run into a problem.
I need to take of the disk brake "cap" (Pic 1) in order to take it out so that I can get to the bottom nut to the strut assembly (pic 2).
There is also some kind of shield behind the brake disk which I need to take off so that I can get to the bottom nut on strut assembly but in order to so that I need to get off the "cap" in front of the disk.

I heard on youtube some guy said to bang it with hammer and it will come off and I have been banging and banging but nothing.

Can anyone tell me how the h**l I can get that "cap" off ?
Is it easy to get the "shield" off as well after the brake disk is removed ?

Thanks !

 

Use a hammer and a thin prybar or flat screwdriver and work it between the cap and the hub snout on the rotor/hub and the center cap will come off, its just hammered in.

As for the strut bolts and nuts, jhst put a wrench on the nuts and use a impact or something on the boflt heads. You dont have to removw the dust sheild to get the bolts out.

 

Not Required

 

Thanks, I tried though with a flat screwdriver and banged it with hammer but I guess I should have not stopped

Yes, the easiest way is to put a wrench and.... as you said. Will give it a try tomorrow again !

 

Ran into a new problem

I have replaced the passenger side but driver side is pissing me off.
The top nut on the strut assembly is not coming off because the strut beneath is spinning.

How can I get this nut off ?

I am replacing the strut plate as well. If I take off the strut plate (and don't remove the upper nut of the strut), is the hole big enough to lift up the entire strut assembly from the top ?
Do I need to remove the hood in order to get the assembly out (if it can be done) ?

The old strut i have are the stock ones !


Thanks for all the tips

 

The very top of the strut shaft has either: flats, a hex, or an Allen indentation. Use the appropriate wrench to prevent the rod from spinning.

Note that sometime in the timeline of 3rd gens GM went to torque-to-yield bolts. They are one use only, IOW, you need to replace them.

RBob.

 

No The Opening Is Way To Small To Come Out Through The Top.

 

I have a hex indentation.
On the passenger side it went well with 2 different wrenches to get it loose but on the drivers side the hex "corners" are screwed

What else can I do to get it off ?
Should I cut the nut in half with dremel ?

 

Just pull the strut and mount out from the top. You're trashing both anyway.

 

According to "GT4373" there isn't enough room to pull the strut from the top. See pic above.

Like you said I'm trashing both anyway but if you think I can pull the strut out from the top (from the mount hole), what else do I need

2 different opinions, what to do ?

 

You would have to cut the strut up to do it. The strut to spindle mount/brace would have to come off. Even then it might not fit, but I'm not there to tell if it can fit through the strut mount hole (if cut up.)">

 

I'm sorry if I missed something sonu1975; but can't you just put a set of pliers on the shaft to keep it from spinning?

Again sorry if I missed anything, I just don't remember having much trouble replacing my struts.

Hope you get it out

 

Here's a picture of the strut hole and how the strut size compares to it.

I can't tell if it would fit with the strut to spindle mount cut off or not... I have always just pulled them out through the bottom.

Hope this helps.

 

I have no problem removing the 2 nut bolts from strut to spindle mount. Having only trouble to get off the top nut. Also I have the dust shield on the shaft which makes it hard to put some kind of pliers on it.

Any other ideas ?

Should I cut the upper nut in half ?
What kind of pliers do you recommend ?

 

yes the strut will fit.. but you have to unbolt the brake line bracket from the strut body. but yes it fits.. but its tight.. i did it at the junk yard a while back getting some mock up mounts and struts lol

 

I had to cut the dust cover to get to it. I used a locking vice grip, I also had a relative to hold it while I un-tightened the nut. *Only use the vice grip on a strut shaft your going to throw out.* Unless you find a way to keep the grips from damaging the shaft of course.

Also I was not able to re use my dust cover due to my aftermarket solid bearing mounts. So cutting the dust cover was not a problem for me... Might be different for you.

 

Like NOSHOWALLGO Said Clamp A Pair Of Vise Grip Pliers On The Strut Shaft Here ( I Used Your Pic NOSHOW) And Then Either Hold Them If You Can Or Let Them Come To Rest On The Inner Fender,Then Remove The Top Strut Nut.

 

Thanks guys for all the tips n tricks.

First I'll try to get the strut out from the mount hole and if not then I'll try with the pliers.

I'm going to replace the struts to KYB GR2, do I need to use the dust cover for these or is it alright to skip them ?

How about when I have to tighten the new nut, the shaft spins then as well and for that I cannot use the pliers as they will ruin my new struts. WHat to do in order to tighten to OEM specs ? How did you guys do ?

 

i just zapped the nuts with the impact gun, and i still used the covers on my gr2 stjust keeps them cleaner... but my new struts im building cant use dust covers, but i might come up with something else to ceep the shaft clean. there should also be a allen hed in the top of the gr2..

 

Pulled many of them out from the top. Don't know why it seems so confusing. As long as you don't have the spindle still attached.


KYBs have a provision for an allen head wrench on the top of the strut to keep it from turning while tightening the nut. You can lose the dust covers if you want.

 

IMO the hardest part of doing the struts is getting them to slide on to the spindle properly.

 

Thanks guys for all the help.
I tried to use the vise grip but it didn't help so I just pulled it out from the mount hole. The hole was big enough to pull it out

 

What he said. Hold the shaft or cover with your hand. I bought my first impact gun this year and can't believe I've gone so long without one.