What size top suspension nut?

[centaurandrew]

Hi all.

Im in the process of overhauling this old cally ive got sat in my back yard. The problem I have at the moment is::

I need to take the front suspension off to fit new suspension bearings but I can't get the top nut off!!!! My 22mm spanner is too small so I was wondering, is the nut a 23 or 24? because I cant find a 23mm spanner ANYWHERE.

The other problem is that the inside allen key (the top of the shock piston) seems to be a 9mm Allen Key. well the 8 and 10 wont fit. But I cant find ANYWHERE that sells a 9mm Allen key either!!!! Is it a 9mm allen or a special vauxhall tool??

[johnny_adidas]

24 for the top nut.

think its a star kinda shaped bit you need for the centre of the bolt. mine came off though last night without needing that bit.

[Fostersice17]

Took mine off last week to fit chrome strut tops,just wd40'd the nut,let it soak in and it came of with a socket easy enough.

[centaurandrew]

Just wondering because when I did my mums suspension the other month (mk 3 golf) i had tostick an allen key in that middle bit and then brace it to get the nut off! it was a real bugger.

Of course the major mistake ive made is that i got the cally on axle stands before taking it off doh! ile have to let it down again.

Thanks for the sizing info!!!

[centaurandrew]

well no way would it come off. Had to buy an electric impact gun but worked a treat so its off now.

Ive got the rest of the leg stripped (brake disc and caliper off) just got to get a hub nut remover.

I take it to take the leg off i have to split the driveshaft? How do you get the bottom nut off (the one that secured the leg to the wishbone?).

[Naz]

Well you don't have to split the shaft, you just undo the big nut at the end of the shaft and push it out the way.

TO get the wishbone off the strut, you need a ball joint separator. Again these can be bought from Halfords and are quite cheap.

Don't forget to undo the track rod arm as well and you will need the ball joint sep for that too

Cheers

[johnny_adidas]

yep will need a splitter to split that joint between the wishbone and the strut. (get one of the ones shaped like a fork. drive it in and ul have them split in about 2 mins, if you are getting the other type of splitter with the bolt in that you screw, then make sure it will fit as some of them wont work cos the arm is too short)
if the ball joint on the wishbone is riveted in you'll need a 12mm drill bit to drill out the old one and the new one just bolts in. tie rod end will need to be split also.
you can pull the strut out without touching the driveshaft then (obviously after removing the split pin and hub nut (i think its a 32mm socket)
i used the wishbone to support the weight of the strut until i was ready to pull it out so as not to damage the driveshaft. then lifted the strut slightly up and pulled it towards me to get it out.

[centaurandrew]

ok what do i use to take the nut off that joins the wishbone to the strut at the bottom, a spanner?

[johnny_adidas]

19mm spanner for the nut (its worth investing in a good long 19mm spanner as ive found its pretty handy for a lot of the suspension parts, a 19mm socket will also do the job but i coudnt fit my breaker bar in there cos the outer part of the drive shaft/strut above the nut was in the way) and then a balljoint splitter like naz and i said above.

[centaurandrew]

thanks very much!!!!

[centaurandrew]

When you're splitting the ball joints how do you stop the little rubber jackets that keep all the grease in from splitting??? (Yes ive split one. Doh)

Also, how do you get them back together again? Does tightening the nut just click them into place?

Thanks again for all the advice!

[Rusty_CallyT]

if you split it you need to replace it and yes torqueing the nut up to the correct torque will be enough