I'm currently in the middle of a week long spring and shock install on my coupe (battling a cold, working in the evenings after work, first spring install, etc). I've finished the rears and I'm now working on the fronts. I have the whole spring/shock/spring compressor assembly out but I can't get the top nut off the shock piston rod to save my life. Do I need an impact wrench to get it off? It's really hard to get a good hold of the shock while trying to get that thing off. Should I have broken the nut loose while it was still attached to the upper fender well? Also, do I need to keep the spring compressed while taking the nut off or can I remove the compressor at this point - and do I need to compress the new spring when installing it on the new shock? Sorry, lots of questions I know.

Thanks for any help and suggestions you might have!

Btw - I'm installing RSR Ti springs and Tokico D-Specs both for 350z.

 

wingnut- yeh, you're suppose to crack the nut loose just a tad while it was still on the car unless you have a vice, etc. to hold the strut.

since you seem completely stuck, i recommend you put the strut assembly back
on the car and crack the nut loose. i highly not recommend using an impact
gun on the piston shaft...especially not on the d-specs.

 

Thanks Ken. I'm gonna try one more thing, then I'll put it back on the car and break it loose. Once I do get that loose though, do I need to keep the spring compressed as I take off the nut and the top mounting flange? Is the spring under compression at rest like that, or can I take off the compressor now that I have it removed from the car?

Thanks again for your help.

 

keep the spring compressed