Trying to install a set of apex ws dampers on my 99 dsm. But I can't take out the stock struts in the front because the allen key nut that bolts to the sway bar link thing is rusted to shit and will not come off no matter what.... it's torqued on so tight that I almost broke my hand.

Any suggestions how to take out the struts without taking off that nut and bolt... btw it's the ball joint. I might have to take it to a shop have the cut the whole gd thing out and replace it.. sigh... can't afford the labor though.

I just did my suspension in my eclipse and I dont recall a allen head thing...

Fill us in more here.

I had the same problem when I put my prokits on. That thing is a little bastard. What I did was get some powerful liquid wrench type stuff called "Croil" and soaked it, vice gripped the shit out of it and I was able to get it off. BTW this was AFTER I stripped the hell out of it with a crescent wrench. Good luck...

Make sure the car is level in front. If it is NOT level (only 1 side jacked up) then there will be a lot of pressure against the bolt and there wont be any way to get it out.

Here's a writeup.

http://www.2gnt.com/www/corbin/struts.html

i was lazy when i installed my agx's so i used some of corbins write up and skipped some steps. i just unbolted the damping fork and the 3 bolts from the tower got a long pole and pryed the damping fork down and slipped the factory shock out and did the same process in reverse to install the agx.

Originally posted by Pushin420a
...I dont recall a allen head thing... Fill us in more here.

Mitsu, or whatever company, revised the endlinks...but IMO, they made them suck even more. The allen head strips out like whoa easy n whatnot.

I have found the best way to remove the sway bar links is heat the nuts up red hot with atorch and then try to remove them...they come real easy with a little heat. They will freeze again though. The method above works real good.

Pull the bolt in the wishbone (wishbone to shock) ans carefully use your foot to force the rotor/spindle down while holding the shock and pulling gently outwards. The spindle will drop with some force and you can squeeze the strut out. Then pull you strut out and use the reverse to install.

Terry

96 Eagle talon ESI
Star Stage II - Boost/oil/EGT gauges

97 Eclipse
Greddy header/evo exhaust - Stage 2 6 puck Sprung hub MIBA clutch - Shortened shifter - Koni Yellows w/eibach prokit - Stillen Fr/Rr swaybars - ceramic intake - DEI Keyless entry alarm - Niche 17" Shoks

Waiting to be installed: Apexi AFC, HKS EVC IV, ceramic intake, 450 Turbo injectors, SFMU/return line, GSX Front brakes (need rotors)