So started to install my coilovers on my g35x today and got stuck on a crazy rusty bolt that holds a c shaped arm, to the bottom of the strut. now heres my question I really only need a couple inches of clearance to get the front strut out is there a secondary way to lower the front suspension just a bit without having to loosen off that c shaped arm? or is that the only way.

thanks

 

Anyone. I'm stuck!

 

which C shaped arm are you talking about. I dont recall having to take off any C arms

 

They connect the lower control arm to the bottom of the front strut. This is only on the awd so not as many people have done the install that I can find.

 

It's better to get that rusty bolt off any way chances are you'll need to replace a bushing on that arm eventually. But if you only need a few more inches to get the stock one off you could use a spring compressor

 

Will that help compress the strut though? Also if i do it that way will I still be able to get the coilover in?

 

If you compress the springs the struts themselves aren't hard to compress by hand. To make compressing the strut easier just use a pry bar. Most coil overs give you atleast a 2" drop so to install just bottom out your coilover and it should fit.

 

You need to remove the lower bolt, on the bottom of the "C" arm. This bolt - the one that passes through the control arm and is attached to the bottom end of the "C" arm - is actually one solid piece with the "C" arm. You have to remove the nut to remove the strut from the vehicle. Removing only the upper nut, where the strut itself actually attached to the "C" arm, will not give you the space you need to pull the strut, as the strut sits about 3" into the cup of the C arm.

I recently swapped my struts, and the right side came loose easily with an electric impact wrench, while the driver's side I had to cut both the nut and the bolt off of the C arm, then hammer the bolt out through the control arm bushing in order to remove.

The C arm is called a "shock absorber arm" by Nissan. Go here: http://psedog.com/cars/fsm/g35/sedan/2006/fsu.pdf
and go to page 26. I had to order a salvage replacement from ebay, but it was only like $26. Use an impact wrench, and if you cant get the nut off, just use a grinder or cutoff wheel to remove it, then replace it.

 

Awesome thanks I'll order news ones just in case

 

I used good'ol PB Blaster on my rusted bolts. Replaced them if they're in bad shape.
Otherwise..yes, a spring compressor would help, but you'll still need to remove the bolt that connects strut to lower control arm if that's what you mean.

 

As mentioned, you really need to pull the strut with the bracket, and then try to remove the bolt outside the car. It's much easier! the strut sits about 2-3" into the bracket, as you can see from this pic here.

 

I would be inclined to use an air hammer with a pointed tool with on the end of the bolt attaching the shock absorber arm to the lower control arm. Hit it with PB Blaster, give it some time to work, then back the nut off almost all the way - leave it barely threaded on to serve as a guide for the air hammer chisel to hit the end of the bolt.