hi everybody just A quick question has anyone founded A way to torque the top strut nut without an offset wrench. have read the archives and someone mention start it as tight as you can and finish torque with the car on the ground this will bottom out shock and can be torqued. also does everyone torque rate 15lbs or more???? thanks

I got this tool set from amazon that works perfectly if you want to spend the $38. CTA A450 universal strut nut remover. it allows you to use a torque wrench to get it right.
--
Paul NW Indiana '89 744 Turbo 175K/ '90 745 turbo 145K

I've used an impact wrench to apply some manner of torque to the large nut that secure the strut cartridge piston to the strut mount.

Yes, usually while the vehicle in on the ground.

You may want to wait and leave it tight, yet not torque, if you mean to get an alignment after strut replacement. If you replaced solid rubber bushings like the control arms or rear suspension, it is best to apply torque to these bushing with the vehicle on an alignment rack or you could use a service trench like at an oil change place, and torque.

If you have replaced the strut mount with, of course, the Made in Germany Boge for Volvo OEM PN 1272455, you may want to stuff some silicon grease, like SuperLube NLGI-2 to lube the ball bearing race you see from the top with the strut mount dust cap removed.

Nearly all after-market strut mounts use sealed bearing races, not ball bearing races. Ball bearings operate in three dimensions and are meant for the lateral stress as the strut cartridge compresses and rebounds and the compliant suspension articulates as you drive it.

Questions? Comments?

Kitties? Cats? Or Kitty-Cats?

Any predictions for the 2014-2015 egg-nog season? I hope all of us enjoy a good one. (My bet remains for a boiled, thin custard (egg and creme and milk), with spices and a quality spirit (brandy, whisky, cognac), hunny for sweetness.

cheers,

dud.

"has anyone founded A way to torque the top strut nut without an offset wrench."

Yes. I haven't had need for an offset wrench (or an impact driver). If you place a couple of washers (1/2"?) under the nut, you raise the nut high enough so that a regular socket can be used.

"finish torque with the car on the ground this will bottom out shock and can be torqued."

Yes. (But even up in the air, the strut is stopped from rotating once it is hooked up to the tie rod and ball joint.)
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.