Top Hat nut loose, how to tighten?

MOOSEcannoN · 10-11-2010, 07:25 PM

My U12 developed a clunking sound at the front right which turned out to be the top hat nut was loose. They're standard shocks with cobra super low springs, how do I stop the inside of the shock turning so that I can tighten the top hat nut?

nissannut · 10-11-2010, 08:18 PM

Interesting question.I just wrapped a rag around it and used a pair of vise grips.It works if you have a good pair of vise grips,old ones suck.Post up if there is a better way guys.

MOOSEcannoN · 10-11-2010, 08:47 PM

my springs are that compressed that nothing will be able to grab the middle of the shock lol, looks like I'll probably have to take it out. One guy said that I should just use a rattle gun on the top of it, could work?

94sentraxe · 10-11-2010, 08:56 PM

you could hit it with an impact gun if available. if not then no need to take it out to tighten the top nut. I'm not familiar with the U12 but it should either have a place for an allen wrench on top or a flat spot where there aren't threads to ruin. If its an allen key put the right size in and hold that still while you tighten the nut with the appropriate wrench. If its a flat spot use vice grips to hold it still and then wrench it.

MOOSEcannoN · 10-11-2010, 09:22 PM

wont attempting to tighten it with an impact gun just spin the shock as well? or ?

there's not a lot of room to get tools in the top to hold the thread and tighten at the same time, here's a pic

94sentraxe · 10-11-2010, 09:27 PM

If you have one available I'd try it couldn't hurt. Looks like it does have flat spots so you could squeeze a vice grip on there, just a tight fit but looks like one would work. At least to get it down to get a better grip on it.

MOOSEcannoN · 10-11-2010, 09:31 PM

I'll have to find some tools that will fit in there while I've got my vice grips on, at the moment, its too much of a tight space to be able to get any tools I have in there to turn the nut

94sentraxe · 10-11-2010, 09:43 PM

You can use one of these offset wrenches

Or go at it with the open end just angled downward.

MOOSEcannoN · 10-11-2010, 09:47 PM

awesome, will have to get me some of those