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 ***

 

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

 

I have a large needle nosed vice grip.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!!

 

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.

 

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


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