aradmahogany

Just wondering did you guys use any sort of impact driver? Pneumatic or electric? The nuts on both the sway bar and the strut are an awful pain in the ***

fastsuv

I tried a pneumatic impact driver, but the ball inside the joint just rotated. I was replacing the original factory links, so I knocked the link off the ball with a hammer and then grabbed the ball with vise grips. One of them still wouldn't come off, so I used a cutoff wheel on a grinder.

The replacement Moog links have a hex in the area just in front of the link so you can use a thin open-end wrench to hold it from spinning.

Steve

donbrew

I have a large needle nosed vice grip.

aradmahogany

Well I was thinking of picking this up for the job. Do you think its overkill?

https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-...rench+1+2+inch

donbrew

I call it overkill because Electric Impact Wrench - 1/2"

How often do you plan on needing it?

The only routine use is removing wheel lug nuts. HF tools are great for casual use.

aradmahogany

Well that is a much better price for essentially same tool and there is a Harbor Freight in my neck of the woods. My problem was that when I first attempted to remove the sway bar end link nut it WOULD NOT budge. I was guessing that the nuts on the strut would be even worse. Maybe I am looking to take the lazy way out.

donbrew

The small nuts on the top of the strut tower are barely hand tight. The 2 bolts at the bottom on the steering knuckle are splined into the knuckle, so remove the nuts and drift the bolts out, they are only about 89 lb-ft (without looking).

The basic problem with the link bolts is that the ball, by design, spins.

aradmahogany

I will have a crack at it without the impact tool. NOW reading through the forum I find there is an alternative to Monroe for the quick strut? A brand called Gabriel? Now I am torn as to what set to get!!

donbrew

Gabriel is an old shock company, I didn't know they were making quick struts. They used to be know as "that other brand". I have no experience with the modern incartnation.

Oldblue

They look universal and don't come with the spring or top bearing plate!


https://www.amazon.com/Gabriel-G5681.../dp/B002VJGYJO