Shock Absorber Tool...

[iiibdsiil]

Hey guys, on my 96 Impala I have Bilstein shocks installed. What they have is I believe a 17 mm nut, and the shaft has a like 6 mm allen in the top to stop it from spinning. When I installed them, I didn't have the tool for this, so I had to wrench it on with what, 45 degrees of travel per turn.

I KNOW they make a tool for this, but I can't find what I'm looking for online. Searching on both Matco and Snap-on's website led to more vehicle specific things, such as the oval socket that GM uses sometimes.

I've been using my gear wrench to do it, and it's almost perfect, except for the 45 degree of travel part which equals FOREVER when tightening and loosening since Bilstein had to use a nylock nut.

My other idea is maybe to replace the nylock with a normal nut and just lock-tite it into place. That way I only have to fight it one way, one time.

Any ideas where to get the correct tools?

 

[GearHead_1]

I know that Snap On carries the double flat sided sockets for shock tips in at least two different sizes. I'm not sure about the allen part of this.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Does that socket have flat sides with the top and bottom not flat, but more of a rocker shape?

 

[iiibdsiil]

I know that Snap On carries the double flat sided sockets for shock tips in at least two different sizes. I'm not sure about the allen part of this.

Ya, that's my problem. Bilstein doesn't do the double flat sides, they require a 6 mm allen.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Now that you mention it, I have seen those , and the removal tool. I just have not had to work on one of those.

 

[GearHead_1]

Maybe I'm not seeing this correctly in my mind's eye, wouldn't a 12 point socket work on the 6 point stud or a allen socket work in a typical allen head? Perhaps a shorter version of one of these. I've seen some other discussion claiming some Bilstien's have a 5 mm allen head.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I put a 6 mm allen into the center of the shaft to keep it from spinning, nothing here in inverse. Instead of a double flat for me to grab onto, there is a 6 mm hexagon in the center of the shaft, for me to put a 6 mm allen socket into.

That make sense?

 

[bmwpower]

You need this:

 

[iiibdsiil]

Yes! and I need to know where to get it

 

[bmwpower]

Bent allen key into the side opening holding the strut shaft in place while you have a ratchet (or torque wrench) connected to the top.

 

[bmwpower]

Yes! and I need to know where to get it

Doh! That would help....

http://www.zdmak.com/
Search for "Strut" or "shock"

or from his eBay listings:
http://cgi.ebay.com/22mm-Strut-Sock...578199510QQcategoryZ42337QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Leave it to the Germans ...

 

[iiibdsiil]

Maybe I'm not seeing this correctly in my mind's eye, wouldn't a 12 point socket work on the 6 point stud or a allen socket work in a typical allen head? Perhaps a shorter version of one of these. I've seen some other discussion claiming some Bilstien's have a 5 mm allen head.

I didn't realize you had edited your post. I'm not sure if it is 5 or 6 mm, but BMW power found what I need.

I think what you weren't understanding is that I needed something so I didn't have to use a wrench in the confined space of where I am working. I had the 6 mm allen key figured out, just not a tool that would allow me to tighten the 17 mm from another location, to get more swing on the wrench.

 

[bmwpower]

Apparently this tool doubles as an O2 sensor remover, too. Money well spent. Just make sure the upper nut is 22mm.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Doh! That would help....

http://www.zdmak.com/
Search for "Strut" or "shock"

or from his eBay listings:
http://cgi.ebay.com/22mm-Strut-Sock...578199510QQcategoryZ42337QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Leave it to the Germans ...

But they only have it in 22 mm...

Getting closer...

 

[bmwpower]

I looked through the whole catalog, a 19mm is the smallest they go.

I know you don't want to hear this, but using an impact gun will also work. Just don't go crazy. The gun spins quick enough so that the shaft doesn't spin.

 

[iiibdsiil]

Hahahaha. I've done em before that way, just not on MY car. I might rip em out that way then replace em with a non-nylock nut. I'm searching all over trying to find something that might work. I'm thinking I have a ton of extra craftman sockets laying around too. What I can do is weld/glue/attach a nut to the top, so I can put my gear wrench on there and get me up outta my upper control hole that I'm recessed into. Just use a deep 6 mm allen.