Shock problem

[bowsercake]

So, I installed my KYB GR-2 not too long ago and I've had a problem with it clunking ever since. The top center nut holding the rubber mount is not tightened all the way. There is at least 1mm space between the nut and the mount. So, when I drive over a bump the shock stud thing goes up and clunks back down.

I had a problem installing the top nut, the stud thing on the shock would keep spinning as I tried to tighten the nut. I used an impact gun at the shop I was at and it tightened down decently but obviously not all the way.

Now I have removed my shock to fix the problem but I cannot get the nut off. I tried using vice grips but its just scratching the surface of the stud thing and not holding it.

Do I need an impact gun to remove this nut or has anyone else had this problem? I searched on this problem and some people said to remove the nut and then put some washers under it. But, that still leaves me the problem of holding the stud in place so I can screw on the nut.

sorry for the length... I hope you guys can help me out.

 

[Nick M]

I had always used an impact.

You removed it from the car and put the assembly in a spring comrpessor?

 

[JB91389]

I have the same problem right now. I'm still looking around on how I can fix this.
What are my options? Will washers fix the problem? How can I fix this because it get so annoying when driving.

 

[black91turbo]

hey, i recently installed my tokico w/eibachs........I do not believe the clunking has anything to do with the bolt, try cutting off the 1/2 inch or so off the bump piece at the bottom, you won't hear ever again, i did it with mine because a buddy of mine (mathopmk3) suggested it and it works flawlessly....... The actual bump piece remains intact, therefore it functions normally. Some guys have done it differently but this is what i did and it works so i thought i would put it out there..........

 

[mhopemk3]

Not sure exactly what youre talking about.. Clunking.. If I am reading this correctly you have a gap from the bottom of the shaft nut to the top of the spring cap??? If not then what Val (Black87) mentioned would be the next thought..

 

[JB91389]

I have the same shocks as bowsercake. The problem I have is that I have a gap from the bottom of the shaft nut to the top of the spring cap.

 

[bowsercake]

Yeah, I had a gap. When you pushed down on the car you could see the middle nut rising and falling back down. Anyways, I fixed it this weekend.

Here's how I did it:
I took out the shock. I tried to use a towel and vice grips on the pole but it still kept turning. I compressed the spring and then I pulled down the bottom park of the mount. I vice gripped (no towel) near the bottom of the top part of the mount (not sure if the position really helped though) and i was finally able to unscrew the nut. I went to ACE Hardware and got some 1.25 M12 low profile washers. I'm not sure if that washer info is right but just bring your nut with you to the hardware store. I got 4 washers but 2 should have been enough. I put the mount together and then put the 4 washers on top of the mount and then twisted the nut back on (still using the vice grips). I was going to torque it to the tsrm's 20ft lbs but then the pole started turning again. It was only 20 ft/lbs so i figured that i was pretty close and that's the best I can do for right now.

I drove around for a while and no more clunking.

btw, I looked at the KYB GR-2 and it seems like that did not put the threading down far enough, it seems to be a manufacturers defect.

 

[Nick M]

A clunk is most likely incorrect assembly.

 

[supra90turbo]

bowsercake: If the threaded shock shaft spins when you try to tighten the nut, the upper mount is junk.
It is supposed to be "D" shaped to allow the strut to not turn when you try to tighten the nut.
Looks like you're ordering some new rear upper shock mounts.
They're not too much anyway.

 

[koulee]

I had always used an impact.

You removed it from the car and put the assembly in a spring comrpessor?

Wow, I've read instructions on most shocks saying not to use an impact gun.