I'm having a problem tightening the nut that holds the top of the front shock absorber. I've used an impact wrench, but still can't tighten it enough without the shock turning.

Did the factory have a special wrench to hold the support washer (911 341 018 00) that fits into the slot cut into the threads on the top of the shock absorber? If so, does anyone have a pic and/or description?

Click to view attachment

-- Rob

Use a spanner wrench. It has a hook that grabs the slot in the big washer. The washer is keyed to the shock top.

I don't have a picture handy of what I use, but they are called spanners.

I don't use them very often, but they work well. I believe the set that I have came from either Northern Tools or Harbor Freight.

get rid of the ny-lock nut and double nut it....rattle it up with an impact, and snug a lock-nut down.

wait I'm not supposed to say that ...but...we have a few in house racecars that are like that

Also do you have load on the strut?

If the wheel is in the air you can have a problem tightening that nut

You can also use a BIG pipe wrench to hold then impact it down....

Thanks everyone for your recommendations... I'll get on it this weekend...

-- Rob

Big pipe wrench on the keyed washer...torque wrench on the nut and you are good to go

Here is a pic of a similar tool that I use. Mine came in a set of 4. It doesn't chew up the washer like a pipe wrench will.

Too late now but ...........
Impact wrench on a shock install is NOT a good idea. it will screw up the shock.
I am certain you only seen me take shocks off that way. but putting new shocks on get the piston captured while the nut is tightened.

Thanks John, that's what I was looking for....where did you get yours?

Joe, I didn't use the impact wrench to put it on, only to take if off, I tried using the torque wrench to tighten it.....

-- Rob

BIG Channel Locks on the washer, wheel on the ground and ratchet it down.

I think I got them at Harbor Freight, but I didn't see them on their website.