bmxbikes69

how do i fix this? i want to fix it when i take my struts off this weekend. any paticular bolt thread size i should get?

ShermanTanker

just take the top hat in to the hardware store with you and replace it with a grade 8 metric bolt with a lock washer and you are good to go. If you have a fastenal by you they will have a direct replacement.

Aaron

FXTSPORTS08

I have lots of extra top hat studs laying around if you get in a pinch. I am not sure where you live but if you are close or dont mind waiting a few days I will send you a few for the cost of shipping.

PM me if you need some.

__________________
DGM '08 XT Sports 5MT
Check out my Journal!

Natedog

This or better to take up this generous offer :)

bmxbikes69

Thread Starter

but it just pounds out of the tophat right? im hoping to fix this this weekend along with the dreaded sti strut clunk. makes me want to go deaf. haha sucha horible noise.

ShermanTanker

Yep it is just a press fit, just smack it out with a punch and hammer

hueyduey

I tried to pound it out with the strut on the car but there wasn't enough support underneath the stud to knock it loose.

I disassembled the strut separated and separated the tophat. I used a socket larger than the stud's head to support the bottom of the tophat. Then hit the sheared end of the stud out.

__________________
06' FXT - My Journal

bmxbikes69

Thread Starter

alright thanks for the info guys! ill let you know how it goes.

clint78z

Take a hammer and a block of wood (metal dolly even better. Put the dolly underneath the bolt just off to the side of it to provide support. A big hammer will bang it out.

singincanary

This is exactly what you should do. The round socket provides all around support so you don't bend anything.

__________________
I miss my turbo, and my 6-speeds of fun.

bmxbikes69

Thread Starter

so i was going to fix the broken stud but turns out the local hardware store wasnt open on the weekends. but i did fix the clunk my struts were making. im pretty sure my left rear spring just wasnt on right. cause once i put my tein s techs on it went away. didnt have to take them apart at all. and now my car is SLAMMED! haha i love it.

bmxbikes69

Thread Starter

ok guys so i need to fix the clunk coming from my back struts. i have the grease and everything. except the nut on the bottom of my strut is siezed on so i cant get the strut fully apart. what do you suggest i do at this point?

jgrote

Buy a new bolt/nut and cut that one off. You can grind it off or try a nut splitter.

__________________
04 X a/t
00 L a/t w/ 200K!

hueyduey

Got a problem with a rounded nut.

It's not exactly the same issue, but there's a lot of good tips mentioned in that thread on how to remove the bolt.

Don't give up! Before you get crazy with the bolt/nut, get a new one from the dealership first. It's like $3. Soak it in PB Blaster or your preferred penetrate. Let it sit for awhile. Grease up the other strut in the meantime but give the seized nut a spray every 10 minutes or so. Now when it's time to attack the bolt/nut, heat up the nut with a propane torch for 15-30 seconds. For suspension and chassis bolts I use 6 point sockets. Even though I don't own a impact wrench I own a set of 1/2 inch impact 6 point sockets. When breaking stuck bolts with these seem to round off the bolts less than the 12 point sockets than came on in my mechanics set. Use a breaker bar and if you have to a cheater bar (aka pipe) on the end to get some leverage.

bmxbikes69

Thread Starter

im really scared to cut it off. im hoping i can try to fix it this weekend. or it might be awhile... i hear its not bad to drive on. just makes me want to go deaf. ha