My local car parts store O'Rielly and Auto Zone told me this tool didn't exist. I'm going to every harbor freight in my area until i find this tool set. Thank you!
Thank you so much. I saw this tool while searching, but could not tell if it could work. I'm off to buy it now. I have a 2001 PT cruiser with McPherson struts that the nut is recessed in, just like this example. I don't know why the auto parts loan the strut compressor without a tool for the nut. Maybe not too many are recessed? 👍
Unfortunately harbor freight, home depot, and lpwes didn't have a pass through wrench set with a 21 or 22 socket for my VW GTI. I ended up buying a set on Amazon from Channel Lock. Hopefully I can get this project done soon. You should be able to torque the nut with this system as well.
Which set did you buy? I have the same problem with my VW. I need use a double D socket to hold the Piston and 21 mm socket for the bold. I was thinking in this set but it only will go through 19mm.
@@carlosgraphic At the end of the day I didn't even use the set that I bought for what I needed to do. I needed to put together a coilover from neuspeed which required me to torque it. I found a video where people were recommending I use a hammer driver which I already had. I have a Milwaukee brand that puts out about 80lbs of torque so I just used that. Ive been keeping an eye on my coilovers and so far it's been holding fine but I don't push my car that hard.
@@SanchoSanto I have a milwaukee impact wrench too but I would rather go by the manufacturer service manual. The specs show that I only need to torque that bolt 60 nm or 44.25 lb. Ft. I just need a way to do the same as the video to achieve that torque. Btw. My strut bolt is 19mm and not 21mm that I thought so I believe I can use this tool.
This is a great idea and I did go buy a set. Quickly found out that I should have measured the nut first. The tool set only goes up to 19mm. My nut was 21mm. Go-thru sockets over 19mm are not offered at Harbor Freight. I broke the old nut loose with vise grips and a spot weld on the shaft for grip, then used an impact on the nut. Installed the new nut with an Oxygen sensor tool using the same technique that this video explains. I still needed this tool set for things like sway bar links and I don’t regret the purchase. Moral of the story: Know the size of your nuts.
@@godfrey_of_america.. I used quick struts once. The bolts holes were so far off it couldn’t be aligned. They were half a hole off. Had to open up the holes big time to make them work. After that madness and three trips to the alignment shop. Won’t do that again.
@@hybridamericandude3575 What brand? I've used Monroe and they were fine. I decided to try to be a hit shot this time and do it old school but I cannot get the strut mount nut off with hand tools. Regretting nit getting the quick struts again.
Did my own struts and noticed the brakes were vibrating at high speeds. Turns out I needed to tighten the struts with these special tools I cant believe it.
oh wow! I've been struggling all this time lol. I have a similar tool kit made by Crescent that I bought from Home Depot. Only thing is that top of the piston rod has two round sides and two flat sides, so I don't think an 8mm socket would work to make it easy as this video. Awesome instructional video by the way.
If your car has a 21mm strut nut you can use a 21mm spark plug socket, the type with the rubber insert where you remove the rubber. Then most 1/4 tools will fit inside to counterhold the allen or torx shaft. Use a 24mm combination wrench on the spark plug socket to tighten /remove. Always use proper tools to avoid pain and suffering.
didnt know i could hold it with the 8mm socket, didnt think of using extension to get over the bump wish i was this creative. instead went to buy a ratcheting wrench and used vise grips. next time ill try this. 👍
I have the harbor freight pass-through set, which is great. However, what double-d socket are you using to hold the top of the shock shaft that actually fits inside the pass-through? The socket I have is a 3/8" drive but the base is too wide to fit into the pass-through socket.
Good idea, I just hope that, when the big nut is all the way down tightening it, the small socket holding the rod still holding it..I will definitely try this method in my Chevy Astrovan...Thanks..
There are some shock stems that aren't hex. They're a double sided D shape and the sizes are different based on the make, model etc. So your standard hex sockets might not end up working on the stem.
Brilliant demonstration but I'd love to see someone do this for real with a strut that's been sitting on a car for 120,000 miles in the northeast U.S. I'm trying but cannot get this off with these hand tools.
I'm really trying to understand why he didn't just use the wrench to hold that top piston, especially since it's a hex, because a lot is double sided D shape, so he is lucky to have that option; then use a 18mm ratchet for the bottom nut? I must be missing something here.
Now i understand how it works my strut nut was spinning and while driving i hear a clunk on my passenger right. How it happened was i try installing a strut bar but tried moving the strut a bit but was late to mess with and tried to tight back the nut and kept spinning.
@@mygiguser yea, it just confused me a little when I saw it cause there was plenty of space in the video, or At least looked like there was. Good video though!
@@jacob.woodward the grey line drawn behind the shock top represents a well that the top of the shock is sunk down in in real life. You can't get down into it with a box wrench. He did the video like this so you could see exactly what was going on. In real life, you wouldn't be able to get this camera angle because the top of the shock is down that narrow tunnel.
sometimes they snap off easy, so i do it hand tight, then a little more. Driving around, if i hear noise, i tighten it a little more. Those nuts are self locking nuts anyway.
In theory it looks wonderful, but not realistic in the real world. Find me an application where you have that kind of accessible space for your tools, and I'll buy your Florida swampland. Would love to see you change out my 94 Lincoln TC rear shocks with that tool. Get real!!!
putting pliers/clamp/vice grip on the piston rod itself (hard chromed surface and needs to be perfectly smooth) will destroy the shock absorber and void the warranty.
I had no idea this tool set existed. Saved me a lot of time and I got my struts changed quickly. Thanks for the video - well done!
My local car parts store O'Rielly and Auto Zone told me this tool didn't exist.
I'm going to every harbor freight in my area until i find this tool set. Thank you!
Sr. this is precisely what I was looking for thanks a lot for your time and effort, this video has been very, very helpful.
Thank you!!!! Local auto parts shops were at a total loss on how to access the lock nut on my coilovers.
Very well done video. You are clearly both mechanically and technologically inclined. Cheers
Thanks!
Thank you so much. I saw this tool while searching, but could not tell if it could work. I'm off to buy it now. I have a 2001 PT cruiser with McPherson struts that the nut is recessed in, just like this example.
I don't know why the auto parts loan the strut compressor without a tool for the nut. Maybe not too many are recessed?
👍
Excellent job on the video. If every1 made videos like this the world would be a different from people knowing how to do everything the right way. A++
Unfortunately harbor freight, home depot, and lpwes didn't have a pass through wrench set with a 21 or 22 socket for my VW GTI. I ended up buying a set on Amazon from Channel Lock. Hopefully I can get this project done soon. You should be able to torque the nut with this system as well.
Which set did you buy? I have the same problem with my VW. I need use a double D socket to hold the Piston and 21 mm socket for the bold. I was thinking in this set but it only will go through 19mm.
@@carlosgraphic At the end of the day I didn't even use the set that I bought for what I needed to do. I needed to put together a coilover from neuspeed which required me to torque it. I found a video where people were recommending I use a hammer driver which I already had. I have a Milwaukee brand that puts out about 80lbs of torque so I just used that. Ive been keeping an eye on my coilovers and so far it's been holding fine but I don't push my car that hard.
@@SanchoSanto I have a milwaukee impact wrench too but I would rather go by the manufacturer service manual. The specs show that I only need to torque that bolt 60 nm or 44.25 lb. Ft. I just need a way to do the same as the video to achieve that torque. Btw. My strut bolt is 19mm and not 21mm that I thought so I believe I can use this tool.
Doing this today but I'm going to fasten with this set and torque it with a crowfoot wrench 😂
This is a great idea and I did go buy a set. Quickly found out that I should have measured the nut first. The tool set only goes up to 19mm. My nut was 21mm. Go-thru sockets over 19mm are not offered at Harbor Freight. I broke the old nut loose with vise grips and a spot weld on the shaft for grip, then used an impact on the nut. Installed the new nut with an Oxygen sensor tool using the same technique that this video explains. I still needed this tool set for things like sway bar links and I don’t regret the purchase.
Moral of the story: Know the size of your nuts.
Wow, that is just nuts!
Same the nut was a 19 on my strut also. That’s a great tool . Wish they made it to at least a 20 mm. I used a impact and got it off
Moral of the story- it's a myth that you can easily do this with hand tools and elbow grease. Buy quick struts.
@@godfrey_of_america.. I used quick struts once. The bolts holes were so far off it couldn’t be aligned. They were half a hole off. Had to open up the holes big time to make them work. After that madness and three trips to the alignment shop. Won’t do that again.
@@hybridamericandude3575 What brand? I've used Monroe and they were fine. I decided to try to be a hit shot this time and do it old school but I cannot get the strut mount nut off with hand tools. Regretting nit getting the quick struts again.
Did my own struts and noticed the brakes were vibrating at high speeds. Turns out I needed to tighten the struts with these special tools I cant believe it.
I almost sent my struts back to get full assemblies, thanks a ton
Wahnsinn! I just picked the set up at Harbor freight this morning /item # b62327. The price is tag around 19usd$ plus tax. Vielen Dank meine Herr.
there are slotted sockets that allow to counter hold. The advantage is that you can use it with a torque wrench to torque to spec.
Thank you Sir. Just the information I needed. I was having a WTF moment but feel better now.
Genau das brauche ich für meinen 95 Camaro Z28! Vielen Dank!!
Thanks! I was looking for something like this for a top strut.
Awesome! Thank you so much! I’m having that same problem trying to install struts. Never knew this tool existed. Subscribed. Thanks so much!
This is EXACTLY what I needed, thank you!!!!
Thanks, and great Graphics on screen !
oh wow! I've been struggling all this time lol. I have a similar tool kit made by Crescent that I bought from Home Depot. Only thing is that top of the piston rod has two round sides and two flat sides, so I don't think an 8mm socket would work to make it easy as this video. Awesome instructional video by the way.
If your car has a 21mm strut nut you can use a 21mm spark plug socket, the type with the rubber insert where you remove the rubber. Then most 1/4 tools will fit inside to counterhold the allen or torx shaft. Use a 24mm combination wrench on the spark plug socket to tighten /remove.
Always use proper tools to avoid pain and suffering.
What do you mean by rubber insert?
@@jayhawker03 have you ever seen a spark plug socket? It either has a spring inside or a rubber thingy to hold the spark plug.
@@gplusgplus2286 mine is magnetic
That's genius, I'm glad I found your comment because I didn't feel like buying another tool, thanks!
didnt know i could hold it with the 8mm socket, didnt think of using extension to get over the bump wish i was this creative. instead went to buy a ratcheting wrench and used vise grips. next time ill try this. 👍
This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this!
This is a excellent video; however, we need to know the kit information or tools information so we can buy it 🤔
It says it right there in the video Harbor Freight 62327 - 21PC SAE/METRIC GO-THRU SOCKET KIT
@@mygiguser thank you and God's Grace 🙏
I have the harbor freight pass-through set, which is great. However, what double-d socket are you using to hold the top of the shock shaft that actually fits inside the pass-through? The socket I have is a 3/8" drive but the base is too wide to fit into the pass-through socket.
That was just a tool set from Sears i got many years back.
Good idea, I just hope that, when the big nut is all the way down tightening it, the small socket holding the rod still holding it..I will definitely try this method in my Chevy Astrovan...Thanks..
There are some shock stems that aren't hex. They're a double sided D shape and the sizes are different based on the make, model etc. So your standard hex sockets might not end up working on the stem.
Have you try this tool with double D shape?
Brilliant demonstration but I'd love to see someone do this for real with a strut that's been sitting on a car for 120,000 miles in the northeast U.S. I'm trying but cannot get this off with these hand tools.
Thank you so much! Excellent video!
Good idea if the piston has a standard hex at the top. Mine has two flats and then the rest is rounded. No socket will fit on that.
Same for me with my Mitsi lancer, and the lock nut is 18mm.
Double trouble!
That’s called Double D strut. There are sockets that exist for this by OEM Tools or three snap on sockets A137. A138, A139.
Thank you very much for sharing this information you’ve helped me greatly.
Thank you for the video
Thank you!! That is what I needed this afternoon. Would have saved me a lot of swearing. Lol. We'll tackle it again next weekend with the right tools.
Thanks, I just used a impact and held it hand tight on the strut stem. I bet I need to take my strut back off and figure this out.
I'm really trying to understand why he didn't just use the wrench to hold that top piston, especially since it's a hex, because a lot is double sided D shape, so he is lucky to have that option; then use a 18mm ratchet for the bottom nut? I must be missing something here.
Doing this today but I'm going to fasten with this set and torque it with a crowfoot wrench 😂
Just wat I was looking 4 thank you!!!!!
Thank you👍
Awesome tool
or 1 ratchet wrench and 1 open end wrench. Job complete..
not if the open wrench doesn't fit!
@@mygiguser if you have room for that 10pc monstrosity you can fit an open end
Now i understand how it works my strut nut was spinning and while driving i hear a clunk on my passenger right. How it happened was i try installing a strut bar but tried moving the strut a bit but was late to mess with and tried to tight back the nut and kept spinning.
Thank you for your video
Please put the link from the tool to buy the proper model
Awesome thank you, this is exactly what i need
Is there one for the struts that you need a hex?
U are the best!
This is a great video.... unfortunately us Canadians don't have access to Harbor Freight. So I ordered Crescent CX6PT20, let's see if that works
Crescent CX6PT20 does not work for our purpose
Thank you you save me a trip did you ended up buying this set on the video?
Thank you so much!!
How do you reach a specific torque?
I always do it by hand, i feel it. Don't tighten it too much, they snap easy! If it rattles when you drive it wasn't tight enough.
Well...Do I feel stupid!! I wish I had watched this two days ago. I used a nut buster and a chisel to get that shaft nut off.
Wow, that's nice!
Will this tool work on Asian cars and trucks in the Philippines let me know thanks
i dont see why not. this is not vehicle specific, all you need to check is, if the tool is available for metric sizes.
Thank you Sir!!
Unfortunately my strut piston rod doesn't have a nut on top to do this. Damn.
Thank u for that
Wait why can’t you just take a box wrench slide it onto the nut put the socket on the top and break it loose with the box wrench?
you can do that, if you have enough space. (Good luck!)
@@mygiguser yea, it just confused me a little when I saw it cause there was plenty of space in the video, or At least looked like there was. Good video though!
@@jacob.woodward the grey line drawn behind the shock top represents a well that the top of the shock is sunk down in in real life. You can't get down into it with a box wrench. He did the video like this so you could see exactly what was going on. In real life, you wouldn't be able to get this camera angle because the top of the shock is down that narrow tunnel.
@@michaelbown3229 I see, that makes a lot more sense, for some reason the line didn’t clue in on where everything would be, thanks!
Awesome 🙌🏻
how do you torque it ?
just feel it, not too tight, they break off easy
My BMW strut head nut is 22 mm, is there anyway to make this work?
2 years later.........
just did my front struts 98 M3, easy breezy
wow this is amazing 👍
What is the diameter of that 8mm socket to be able to be inside of the pass thru tool?
ok. I tried this tool and the socket that passes through it has to be small.
Believe it is 9mm or smaller to fit through
@@TheFarmerbry thank you for the replay, at the end, I ended buying the special kit for struts that saved me a lot time and do the job right.
Thanks!
Does anyone have the SKU for the set he's using?
Who has that kind of room to do that?
Everybody
It's still helpful even if you have to pull the strut out to use it. My Subaru needed this even when the struts were removed.
If only this kit included a 22mm go-through socket :(
How do you torque it up to specification
sometimes they snap off easy, so i do it hand tight, then a little more. Driving around, if i hear noise, i tighten it a little more. Those nuts are self locking nuts anyway.
ua-cam.com/video/_Lqm1veqgN4/v-deo.html
Shame on these engineers for making these things so damned hard.
where can i find this set??
Harbor Freight
Amazon search for Go thru socket set, or pass through socket set
What if the top doesn't have an keyed head just thread?
EklekTek use a power tool, and a vice grip to hold the piston. This may damage the piston.
UA-cam getting a little too comfortable with double non skip ads
In theory it looks wonderful, but not realistic in the real world. Find me an application where you have that kind of accessible space for your tools, and I'll buy your Florida swampland. Would love to see you change out my 94 Lincoln TC rear shocks with that tool. Get real!!!
Sorry to burst your bubble, but i did this on my 2013 Jeep
very informative i save money for mechanic fee
putting pliers/clamp/vice grip on the piston rod itself (hard chromed surface and needs to be perfectly smooth) will destroy the shock absorber and void the warranty.
Doubledunk that’s right!
Break the damn thing and replace it
Omg thank you!!! Problem solved
Worst design ever. Just cut it off
Another poor design by manufacturers... Good vid though for those needing to replace struts. Everyone stumbles on this part.... 😂