6 replies to this topic

[Kashif]

Very soon I am planning to replace my struts and shocks, and I am trying to figure out every step. Currently I am wondering how to unscrew and screw the cross shaped sturt absorber nut. One site says to use a plumbers wrech or pipe wrench to loosen and tighten the nut, but I want to tighten it to 52 ft*lbs exactly by using a torque wrench. Does anyone know how to do this, do I use deep sockets and what size socket. Does anyone know how wide the nut is?

Or how did you guys tighten this nut?

Edited by Kashif, 19 February 2005 - 08:22 PM.

[Mesoam]

there is a volvo tool that can be had through the dealer...

IPD also sells a tool but just has to be guessed for torque

I wouldn't reccomend a monkey wrench because the teeth would really mangle the nut and they are NOT cheap from the dealer (you can get them cheaper through FCP though)

I just use a hammer and small punch, tapped it loose and was on my merry way. For re install i used a pair of padded channel locks (put a little bit of rubber on the teeth as to not dammage the nut)

[Hagan]

Same here, channel locks.

[Kashif]

So when you use the channel locks

Do you just tighten the nut as hard as can, or is there any way of checking the torque.

Does anyone know how much the Volvo tool that the dealership uses costs?

Edited by Kashif, 19 February 2005 - 10:59 PM.

[Black Adder]

I've done this job more than I care to recall. Many times. The torque setting is important, yes, but not life or death.

Find another large non-crucial nut or bolt, loosen it, and then tighten it back to 52 with the torque wrench. Do this more than a few times. Put the wrench you will be using to tighten the cross nut on it and get a thorough feel for what 52 feels like. Remember that the length of the wrench will change the way 52 feels. So, make sure to use the same wrench for getting the "feel". Then use it to put the cross nut back on and "feel" it to 52.

As for the wrench, I use a plumbing wrench with duct tape over the teeth or a very large open end or crescent wrench. I have never had a problem.

[Mesoam]

Find another large non-crucial nut or bolt, loosen it, and then tighten it back to 52 with the torque wrench.  Do this more than a few times.  Put the wrench you will be using to tighten the cross nut on it and get a thorough feel for what 52 feels like.  Remember that the length of the wrench will change the way 52 feels.  So, make sure to use the same wrench for getting the "feel". Then use it to put the cross nut back on and "feel" it to 52.

that is a great tip...

Reminds me of the time we measured some bricks on a bathroom scale and put them in a sack then used that on the end of a rachet for "approximate" torque settings (Mind you this was an emergency fix for Snowmobile parts )

[BeachRat]

Find another large non-crucial nut or bolt, loosen it, and then tighten it back to 52 with the torque wrench.  Do this more than a few times.  Put the wrench you will be using to tighten the cross nut on it and get a thorough feel for what 52 feels like.  Remember that the length of the wrench will change the way 52 feels.  So, make sure to use the same wrench for getting the "feel". Then use it to put the cross nut back on and "feel" it to 52.

Hay-soos christo! That sounds complicated! How about a crow's foot (name?) it's basically an open-end wrench with a 3/8" drive socket hole instead of a handle. Slap that on your torque wrench, and off you go. Obviously, the slightly longer distance will make the torque more, but not so much it's a huge difference. If anyone can describe the tool I'm talking about better or would like a picture let me know! Much easier than "muscle memory"!