Rattle in front suspension, loose bolt?

[snowmirage]

I have heard this slight rattle now and then (seems to be after hitting a large bump after front suspension drops back down then is re-compressed) at first I thought it was my rear tire carrier but after tightening that up a bit more It seems to be coming from the front end

I popped the hood after driving to work today and noticed that the CENTER NUT on the strut towers was not tight.

Picture from one of the sites how to guides for reference


The new struts I put in a few months ago at the end of the threaded area on that center stud have a flattened area to get like an adjustable wrench on to allow you to actually tighten / lossen that nut (otherwise as many of you know the shaft just spins)


My question is can anyone think of a way to tighten that down without having to pull apart the front suspension, and take out the strut assembly to get at that nut.

I tried this morning to find a way to get at it and there just isn't enough room to get a pair of wrenches down there.

I could get a socket on an extension to turn the nut, but with out having access to the tip of the threaded area to hold it still the shaft just spins.

Any ideas?

[bgwolfpack]

Mine is recessed for an Allen wrench, yours is not? Have you replaced the old shocks?

[navigator]

First I would just try a socket. Maybe there is enough tension in there to hold it still enough.
If that didn't work (not having it in front of me I don't know the repercussions) I would likely put an impact on it "GENTLY".

[snowmirage]

Mine is recessed for an Allen wrench, yours is not? Have you replaced the old shocks?

Mine has something similar instead of a recess for an allen wrench the very end has cut outs so its not round at the tip its flat on two sides so you can keep the shaft from spinning with a wrench / pair of vice grips.

This is from a different vehicle obviously but its similar to this (btw wish we had this much room under the hood! lol)


if I had it out of the truck i wouldnt have a problem

but i can't get two wrenches in there while its on the truck there's just no room

[snowmirage]

First I would just try a socket. Maybe there is enough tension in there to hold it still enough.
If that didn't work (not having it in front of me I don't know the repercussions) I would likely put an impact on it "GENTLY".

I did try the socket and it just spun the shaft

I thought about the an impact wrench but as I don't have access to one I was hoping I could think of something else. Might have see if I can go by a cheap one or something I guess

[Gordinho80]

If you have a shock like that, I'd suggest a ratchet wrench on the nut and an open end wrench on the tip of the shock shaft.

[The Roadie]

Use a crow's-foot on an extension for the nut. Good excuse to buy more tools. Actually, ANY excuse should suffice to buy more tools.

[snowmirage]

If you have a shock like that, I'd suggest a ratchet wrench on the nut and an open end wrench on the tip of the shock shaft.

Thats exactly what I was thinking but I dont think there is much of a chance of getting the wrench down in there let alone being able to turn it.



@ Roadie I've never seen or heard of such a thing but looks like its just what I need in this case time for a trip to the store I guess

[snowmirage]

Use a crow's-foot on an extension for the nut. Good excuse to buy more tools. Actually, ANY excuse should suffice to buy more tools.

Are they known by any other names? Searching online through local parts / Hardware stores and coming up empty so far.

[Trail X]

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-3- ... 94427.html

[v7guy]

You can pick em up at a lot of auto parts stores too. If I recall correctly they're only torque to 30 ft lbs or so, not very tight at all. Also something like the wheel liner being loose can cause the sounds you mention. The ends of it can slap the metal around it and make a clanking sound

[Mudwheelin]

I had the same issue a few months ago. I put the wrench on first and used a pair of visegrips for the top of the strut. It worked for me and I havent had an issue with it since.