What tool do you use to tighten front strut insert nut? Oops move me to Garage., I have heard that when they back off a bit it can cause a bang Options

[wndsnd]

I am trying to hunt down a front end noise, a metallic sounding bang over bumps front right.

My suspicions are
A). Sway bar drop links
B) sway bar hitting tank
C) strut nut.

Normal tests seem fine, checking ball joint and tie rod ends.

John

[r_towle]

Jack up one side of the car, or both..no difference.

Hold car on jack stands not touching the control arms or suspension...so under the body somewhere.

Remove wheel
Remove sway bar drop link on the side you will work on
Remove top nut on strut, just the big one.

From a sitting or kneeling position, good leverage, grab onto the dust shield at the top of the strut from within the wheel well.

Pull down really hard to compress the strut.
If you have a gas strut like a bilstein, hang on tight once you remove the strut from its proper home....it has enough juice to dent the fender if you let to.

While pulling down, swing the strut out of the fender so when you let go, it expands outside of the fender area.

Then you can relax...have a break.

From there, remove the dust cover, fix the nut, and put it back in again the same way.

If you have oil filled struts it will be much less drama...they don't spring up.

Speaking from experience....
The bils have enough gas power to dent the fender from below if you slip.
So, get comfy and get in a good position to do it all in one move without letting go.

Rich