Double D wrench for strut stem

[nbpt100]

I am putting some new Struts on my car and the OEM stem fitting on the car has a 7mm hex. Not problem.

I bought some Moog replacements and the stem is a double D fitting that I don't have a wrench for.

I have a 9 piece Am Pro set of strut stem wrenches I bought about 15 years ago.. It has 3 or 4 different double D sizes, none of which will fit this stem.

The stem I best measured to be about 10mm across the diameter and 8mm across the flats.

I can't seem to find such a thing. I am almost ready to grind them down a bit to fit my tool. But that is the hack method and I don't want to be so desperate.

Where can I get one and exactly how do they define them? I am not sure I know.
I know I may not need it if I use an impact wrench but I don't want to count on that. It does not always work well since the nut is a nylock. Getting it off may otherwise be impossible.

Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

The stem I best measured to be about 10mm across the diameter and 8mm across the flats.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEHYR4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[nbpt100]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEHYR4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks, but I don't think it is the correct size. It is listed as 6.1mm x 8mm.

I looked for a 8mm x 10mm and could not find anything. Unless they use some odd nomenclature to define them, I am not sure how to really know what I would be getting.

Again, This must be an odd size as the 9 piece kit I have does not include it.

 

[jhelrey]

Just use an impact and bump the trigger until it snugs up. Once you have a few threads engaged, you can add more pressure by releasing some tension on the springs.

 

[nbpt100]

Just use an impact and bump the trigger until it snugs up. Once you have a few threads engaged, you can add more pressure by releasing some tension on the springs.

You mean snug it up with the wheel off the ground. Lower the car to compress the spring (release tension) and snug it again with the impact?

 

[Wamsutta]

May I ask what the manufacturer of the car is? Searching under "double d shock absorber socket" keeps bringing up 6.2mm x 8mm.

 

[pilotmotor]

Just use an impact and bump the trigger until it snugs up. Once you have a few threads engaged, you can add more pressure by releasing some tension on the springs.

This works , ive done this many times as you release the spring the upper mount will hold the shaft enough to tighten the nut properly .

Alternately you can use a deep offset box wrench on the nut and hold the shaft with an adjustable.
You can also hold the shaft just under the upper mount (as close as possible) with any tool , even if it marks the shaft it will never travel down that far to ruin the seal. Before you install the new strut just push it down all the way and see how much of the shaft is still exposed and grab that portion.

 

[4x4gearhead]

This works , ive done this many times as you release the spring the upper mount will hold the shaft enough to tighten the nut properly .

Alternately you can use a deep offset box wrench on the nut and hold the shaft with an adjustable.
You can also hold the shaft just under the upper mount (as close as possible) with any tool , even if it marks the shaft it will never travel down that far to ruin the seal. Before you install the new strut just push it down all the way and see how much of the shaft is still exposed and grab that portion.

This. Just because there is a specialty tool for something doesnt always mean its the only way to get a job done. I really used to get stuck on this when i was younger til i realized its valuable to step back and think of another way to do it with what you have. Most times you will succeed. Not that it will always be easy. good luck!

 

[nbpt100]

May I ask what the manufacturer of the car is? Searching under "double d shock absorber socket" keeps bringing up 6.2mm x 8mm.

It is a VW but the replacement strut is a Moog. If they stayed with an OEM stem design it would not be an issue. It is a socket hex and that is an very common tool.

I found a post on another board from 2011 with the same question but on a Subaru strut. He could not find the proper Double D that had the same dimensions I provided. I guess everyone just uses an impact and it works.