Strut mount- safety question

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:25 am

Ok, so this week I have had a few days off, so i decided to tackle my first suspension job- throwing on some srt springs I had laying around.
OB's how-to was great, no issues, until I tried to disassemble the strut after I had compressed the spring. The nut was absolutely frozen, and no amount of leverage could get it undone. I actually snapped a 1/4 inch drive extension trying to crack the nut.
It would have been a few days until I had access to air tools, so I decided to put everything back together until it was convenient.

Now here comes my real question, because as I reassembled everything, this happened:

The bolt was mega-rusty and just went.
Obviously I am ordering new strut mounts w/bearing, but my question for now is about safety.

Is it safe to drive with only these two on for a short while, or should I keep it parked until I get new mounts?
All help is appreciated.

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:11 am

personally, I wouldn't drive it.

Next time you should use PB blaster.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:21 am

i know someone that snapped his puting a strut bar on and he still drives it, now i'm not saying you should be taking corners like ken block but if you are taking it easy just commuting i'm sure you'll be fine.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:51 am

racer12306 wrote:personally, I wouldn't drive it.

Next time you should use PB blaster.

I don't recall, so I'm going to ask, but aren't those replaceable without having to replace the whole top hat or strut?

zhneon · Post by **zhneon** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:00 pm

I decided to replace the whole thing because of the whole situation. The nut is frozen as well, so I'm going to start over new. Maybe I'll just get BC's

I wish.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:14 pm

Couldn't you drill it out and put a giant nut and bolt on it?! Lul. It'd hold (this tends to be my solution for A LOT.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:36 pm

FAC3L3SS wrote:Couldn't you drill it out and put a giant nut and bolt on it?! Lul. It'd hold (this tends to be my solution for A LOT.

I think the studs are spot welded to the top hat. Grind/file the stud flat on top, center punch and drill, starting out small for a pilot, then take it out all the way. A 5/16 bolt/nut should work 'till you replace it. A propane torch and penetrating oil are your friends for this stuff. Bigger bolts would need oxy-acetylene, but for those, propane will help. $25 for a torch kit would be $ well spent.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:30 pm

Personally.... I really wouldn't worry about it. There's still two nuts there. It can't go anywhere. Don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine until you get it fixed.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:20 pm

While most of the force is going to be on the LCA, The one thing you have to consider is having to brake extremely hard, or take an evasive turn on the brakes.

You can drive as conservatively as is reasonable, but you can't control the other idiots out there.

I also doubt it is going anywhere, but if you can bolt it in place for 15 minutes work, why not.