loos strut can't tighten

RaspMetalicMX3SE · Post by **RaspMetalicMX3SE** » May 26th, 2006, 1:48 pm

the center bolt of my front drivers side strut is very loose. When i try to tighten it the whole strut piston turns with it, so how the hell do i tighten it , i know i dont want to put anything around the piston cause that can groove it up and break my seal. So what the hell do i do. these struts are only 2 years old

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » May 26th, 2006, 2:10 pm

Is the strut assembly still on the car? Because the strut mount on top has a flat spot on one side that keeps it straight. If somehow, it's all turning even though it's mounted on the car, then you can use something to clamp the strut, but do it towards the very top 6", because that part won't make it into the strut assembly anyways as the bump stop is about 6" long and will cover that part anyways.

RaspMetalicMX3SE · Post by **RaspMetalicMX3SE** » May 26th, 2006, 2:19 pm

Yea the strut is still on the car.

mazda_95 · Post by **mazda_95** » May 26th, 2006, 2:25 pm

i would try to jack up the car on the side that the stuts on, that will put tension on the upper strut mount from the spring and may hold it enough.

RaspMetalicMX3SE · Post by **RaspMetalicMX3SE** » May 26th, 2006, 8:34 pm

1. if i do take the four nuts holding the plate on and dopr the strut out a little will that?
2. if i do that will i have to an alignment done?

RaspMetalicMX3SE · Post by **RaspMetalicMX3SE** » May 26th, 2006, 8:42 pm

what i ment to stay will that help at all if i drop the strut at all

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » May 27th, 2006, 9:24 am

RaspMetalicMX3SE wrote: 2. if i do that will i have to an alignment done?

If you make sure the notch on the side of the mounting plate is facing the same direction going on as it came off, then whatever alignment you had before should be maintained.