Front shocks top nut keep spinning (1 Viewer)

[MHLC2006]

Hi,

Need help as I am changing the front shocks and the front top 22mm nut just keeps spinning. I mean when u try to open it the whole top strut assembly rotates. I was think there should be a bottom nut that you could hold but NO. These are OEM structs on the land cruiser. Can you advise what is the best way? this is insane!!! a simple task made difficult.

 

[x8o8drifter]

Never did shocks/struts before have you. I wondered this as well many a year ago.
A lot of those things you mentioned you'd THINK would be normal, but nope. Some do, like a place to fit a hex key in the top of the strut that doesn't adjust anything.
Anyway...
LMGTFY

 

[baltistyle]

Hi,

Need help as I am changing the front shocks and the front top 22mm nut just keeps spinning. I mean when u try to open it the whole top strut assembly rotates. I was think there should be a bottom nut that you could hold but NO. These are OEM structs on the land cruiser. Can you advise what is the best way? this is insane!!! a simple task made difficult.

If you are replacing the strut, just use Channel locks on the shaft. Does the new shock piston shaft have an Allen key hole in the top, it's been awhile (5yrs) since ive done mine. If so, you use the key to hole the shaft.

 

[FxFormat]

Just cut it out, take a sawzall to it and be done in 2 minutes

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Anyway...
LMGTFY

Whatever you were trying didn't work

Anyway, pic from a Youtube, Just find somewhere you can get visegrips or channel locks on the shock, don't have to worry about destroying them.

 

[MHLC2006]

Thanks for everyone's advise. There is no hole for allen wrench. I tried heating up the nut with a propane torch and then using vice grips on top and wrench on the nut, didnt work.

Ultimately took the sawzall out and cut the nut, but guess what! the bottom of the nut was still holding the retainer!

I had to go one step down and actually cut the shaft of the strut itself!!! solid steel. Unbelievable!!!

Quoted wrong part numbers before. Seems like top is just this retainer: 90948-02174

 

[leveeguy]

Whenever you get around to re-installing for the OEM shocks a 8mm wrench can be used on the very top of shock to hold it while you tighten the top nut. The longest 8mm wrench you can find is what you want to use.

Edit: The 8mm only works for the front shocks.