I wanted to install my Tein Front Strut Bar today, but I couldn't get the nuts to budge. I was thinking of using WD-40 to loosen it up but it started to rain so I quit. Any tips or suggestions? Anything would be appreciated.

 

...wd-40...

 

^.......and a bigger wrench......

 

^.......and a breaker bar......

 

^....or maybe an Ingersoll Rand 261 (1100ft-lbs) impact gun if the nut is being stubborn

 

Was everyone else's strut tower nuts on so tight? I'm glad that mine are, but it's a pain to get off. I hope that I could only get it just as tight when I install the strut bar.

 

Is that the air pressured gun that they use to un-bult the lug nuts?

 

Mine was easy to take off. I think the torque spec is only 41ft-lbs for the front. I was able to take it out with a 3/8" rachet (with a pipe extension). A breaker bar would serve the same purpose. If you're using a rachet alone, that might be the problem.

 

Be careful, use some penetrant to loosen. If they are really stuck on there and you twist too much, snap can go the bolt or just as bad, stripped in the strut hat. Spray and wait a while before attempting to remove.

 

Sure, that's what I was afraid of. Putting all my pressure into it and something snaps.

 

how would I know how much torque I applied once I re-bolt it?

 

Thanks a lot you guys for all this advice, it's really helpful and this is just one of the best things about this forum. Everyone is so kind and helpful. (Sounds kind of gay but yeah, it's true)

 

you should really invest in a torque wrench.

But if you can't get access to one, then just hand tighten. Becareful though because it's very easy to overtorque. I learned that the hard way on my old car when I snapped an engine bolt. I was surprised how little torque I needed. Even the lug nut torque spec on our car seems low. It's spec'ed at 76ft-lbs, but it's very easy to untorque with the lug wrench in your car. You'd be surprised.

I guess you just have to "feel" it.

 

From my personal experience with working on cars that were rusted so bad that a plasma cutter was needed to those stubborn bolts. I've noticed that PB Blaster penetrant works wonders. What you do is go out to your local autoparts store and then spray liberally over the bolt and let it sit overnight or so. And then the next morning, spray a little more on it and then try to unbolt it. This should do the trick.

 

Afterwards, I should wipe the area & the nuts off so that the lubrication is off so that it would be tight when I re-bolt right? Or if I leave it, it would be fine?