Trying to change the struts on my 745T. All went well up to the final removal step - the strut tube gland nut. My adjustable spanner was no match for it. My chiseling served only to shave off the outer rim of the nut - I managed to obliterate all four slots (this after a week of soaking in PB!)

Short of a pipe wrench, which I don't have, I am out of ideas for the top nut. I have read in the FAQ about a circlip at the bottom of the tube that can be removed - has anyone done this? I see a rather nasty looking circlip in there, but it doesn't look like I can remove it while the strut insert and lower spacer/washer are in place.

Any advice is appreciated - I've never before confronted such a tenacious gland nut!

I've come across this a few times. Even if you have to borrow it - get your hands on an air powered impact chisel. The vibration gets those nuts turning pretty quickly... as in a few seconds. Once loose, it's easier to finish with large pliers or (sometimes) by hand. A dull chisel tip works well as it doesnt cut into the nut as deeply. No torches, not grunting, no sweat. Just aim it so the you dont kill the top of the threaded strut tube. You're only looking to make contact with the holding nut.

The best tool for the nut is a very large pipe wrench. I generally use a 24" wrench and sometimes a 36", both are aluminum which keeps the weight down. You can pick one up cheap from Harborfreight.com A torch on the the tube around the nut will also help loosen it.

Good luck.

In addition to the pipe wrench, some heat.
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Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

I've had two of these nuts that gave fits at one time or another.

I used two pipe wrenches, a length of steel pipe, and a propane torch. If you haven't already, remove the hub/tube assembly from the car.

- Heat the livin' b'jesus out of the tube right where the nut threads in (as hot as you can possibly get it).
- Use one pipe wrench on the ground to keep the hub/tube from spinning. Put a 4 foot length of pipe on the end of the other pipe wrench, and really lean into it. I was bouncing with all my weight on one before it finally came loose.

Install the new one with anti-seize.

Post back with your results.

Jeff Pierce

Thanks guys - a 24" pipe wrench and a 20lb dead-blow hammer did the trick!