Need to vent about the PITA it is to change out front struts - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bigwayne3000 · 09-18-2015, 03:51 PM

Can someone explain to me why GM (maybe it is every manf.?) is using a bolt that you have to hold with vice grips while also using a wrench to get the nut off? I am referring to the one that holds the tie rod(maybe?) in place, NOT the main 2 holding the strut to the wheel. There is a nut that has no back so the only way to hold it is in the same location you need the wrench to loosen the nut...

Also, maybe it is just my car but on the driver side front, the nuts holding the strut to the wheel hub assembly (I have no idea proper terms) 1 is metric and 1 is standard, WHY!? Why would you use 2 different kinds?

Orange 2010 Camaro · 09-18-2015, 05:04 PM

Please post a couple of photo's so I can see EXACTLY which bolts you are referring to.

All the best,

Orange 2010 Camaro

IMPERIALBLUE2SS · 09-18-2015, 05:10 PM

My friend you need to invest in an impact gun..

Synner · 09-18-2015, 05:11 PM

You're talking the sway bar end link, it needs to rotate so yes you hold one side and unbolt the other. If I recall from stock it had an allen head insert on the end, wasn't hard.

Synner · 09-18-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMPERIALBLUE2SS

My friend you need to invest in an impact gun..

If you enjoy destroying struts.

bigwayne3000 · 09-18-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMPERIALBLUE2SS

My friend you need to invest in an impact gun..

I have an impact gun but this bolt, isn't a standard bolt that has a hex side that you hold while loosening the nut... the bolt is perfectly flat on the one side so you have to hold the side that has the nut with a pair of pliers while using a wrench to get it off, really makes no sense..

bigwayne3000 · 09-18-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange 2010 Camaro

Please post a couple of photo's so I can see EXACTLY which bolts you are referring to.

All the best,

Orange 2010 Camaro

It isn't #'d but it is the very top bolt in this picture. It is completely flat on the one side so you're forced to hold it with pliers while also using a wrench to un bolt it...

Ventmaster · 09-18-2015, 05:57 PM

Hope you're not saving the top strut retaining nut for last bigwayne!

You've gotta hold the strut center in place with a Torx key(size 50 I believe) while loosening the 24mm bolt with a box wrench.

It takes a 7mm wrench to hold the swaybar bolt in place while you remove the nut with a 13mm box wrench (maybe 15mm- it's been awhile).

Finally the two bottom nuts should be the same. If they're 24mm, remember a 15/16" wrench or rachet will do the trick as well.

bigwayne3000 · 09-18-2015, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventmaster

Hope you're not saving the top strut retaining nut for last bigwayne!

You've gotta hold the strut center in place with a Torx key(size 50 I believe) while loosening the 24mm bolt with a box wrench.

It takes a 7mm wrench to hold the swaybar bolt in place while you remove the nut with a 13mm box wrench (maybe 15mm- it's been awhile).

Finally the two bottom nuts should be the same. If they're 24mm, remember a 15/16" wrench or rachet will do the trick as well.

Yea, I learned on after the first one not to leave the top nut for last.... then on the 2nd one I didn't realize I undid it as much as I did and the entire thing fell down when I was taking out the last bolt on the bottom... Job is done but that 1 little bolt on each side were pains, by your explanation I didn't do it properly which is why it was a pain I suppose...

bigwayne3000 · 09-18-2015, 06:11 PM

Ventmaster: also the bottom 2 bolts were the same on the passanger side then on the driver side, one was metric and the other standard. Don't remember sizing but they were definitely different and it made no sense... I also haven't had anyone work on the car that would explain maybe losing a bolt and them replacing it with different size so no idea what happen there..

Destructo09 · 09-18-2015, 09:13 PM

The clevice bolts on mine are the same size.

Also, yeah, for the sway bar end link, 7mm wrench and a 15mm I believe. 7mm will hold it still while you loosen the sway bar nut.

It's no worse on this car than any other McPherson strut car.

Ventmaster · 09-19-2015, 01:41 PM

LOL- It's reassuring Wayne to hear of someone else having some difficulty. I've read here about so many guys flying thru these installs, and while I eventually accomplish my goals, I always end up with a few abusive epithets and busted knuckles before I'm finished. And usually a trip to the hardware store for a new tool!

bigwayne3000 · 09-19-2015, 04:38 PM

Thanks guys... it is just so weird that on 1 side the clevice bolts are of different sizes, makes no sense!

LSX Camaro · 09-20-2015, 09:24 AM

There is not a standard bolt on the entire car from the factory. All are metric.

09-18-2015, 03:51 PM	#1
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,917	Need to vent about the PITA it is to change out front struts Can someone explain to me why GM (maybe it is every manf.?) is using a bolt that you have to hold with vice grips while also using a wrench to get the nut off? I am referring to the one that holds the tie rod(maybe?) in place, NOT the main 2 holding the strut to the wheel. There is a nut that has no back so the only way to hold it is in the same location you need the wrench to loosen the nut... Also, maybe it is just my car but on the driver side front, the nuts holding the strut to the wheel hub assembly (I have no idea proper terms) 1 is metric and 1 is standard, WHY!? Why would you use 2 different kinds?

09-18-2015, 05:04 PM	#2
Orange 2010 Camaro Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United States Posts: 268	Please post a couple of photo's so I can see EXACTLY which bolts you are referring to. All the best, Orange 2010 Camaro Attached Images

09-18-2015, 09:13 PM	#11
Destructo09 Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Raleigh-Durham Posts: 1,409	The clevice bolts on mine are the same size. Also, yeah, for the sway bar end link, 7mm wrench and a 15mm I believe. 7mm will hold it still while you loosen the sway bar nut. It's no worse on this car than any other McPherson strut car. __________________ 2010 2SS BMR 1" Springs Koni Orange struts/shocks 1LE rear sway bar SRP Racing Pedals Hurst Billet short shifter Square tire/wheel setup Elite Engineering Catch Can Stainless Power longtubes/highflow cats K&N Typhoon CAI RPM Motorsports of Garner, NC dyno tune (421 RWHP)

09-20-2015, 09:24 AM	#14
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	There is not a standard bolt on the entire car from the factory. All are metric. __________________ 2010 2SSRS A6, Custom Pat G. Cam, WCCH Cylinder Heads, Kooks Headers/Exhaust, BTR Valvetrain, Fluidampr 25% UDP, All Engine ARP bolts, Flex-a-lite radiator/Trans cooler, Yank converter, PFADT Suspension, ADM Race Intake/Scoop, Torq tow hook, CFD auto shifter, Dynojet AFR gauge, Aeroforce scan gauge, Brake Performance rotors/pads Prothane bushings, ZL1 wheels, spoiler, Z/28 wickerbill, 1LE Aero/Suspension Package, Anderson Composites COPO Carbon Fiber Hood, LED lighting, Elite Catch Can, Improved Racing oil pan baffle, crank scraper, windage tray 480 RWHP 452 RWTQ + Nitrous Express 150 Shot

09-18-2015, 05:10 PM	#3
IMPERIALBLUE2SS Drives: 2010 imperial blue LS3 M6 2SSRS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Virginia beach Virginia Posts: 210	My friend you need to invest in an impact gun..

09-18-2015, 05:11 PM	#4
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	You're talking the sway bar end link, it needs to rotate so yes you hold one side and unbolt the other. If I recall from stock it had an allen head insert on the end, wasn't hard.

09-18-2015, 05:57 PM	#8
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 2,869	Hope you're not saving the top strut retaining nut for last bigwayne! You've gotta hold the strut center in place with a Torx key(size 50 I believe) while loosening the 24mm bolt with a box wrench. It takes a 7mm wrench to hold the swaybar bolt in place while you remove the nut with a 13mm box wrench (maybe 15mm- it's been awhile). Finally the two bottom nuts should be the same. If they're 24mm, remember a 15/16" wrench or rachet will do the trick as well.

09-18-2015, 06:11 PM	#10
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,917	Ventmaster: also the bottom 2 bolts were the same on the passanger side then on the driver side, one was metric and the other standard. Don't remember sizing but they were definitely different and it made no sense... I also haven't had anyone work on the car that would explain maybe losing a bolt and them replacing it with different size so no idea what happen there..

09-19-2015, 01:41 PM	#12
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 2,869	LOL- It's reassuring Wayne to hear of someone else having some difficulty. I've read here about so many guys flying thru these installs, and while I eventually accomplish my goals, I always end up with a few abusive epithets and busted knuckles before I'm finished. And usually a trip to the hardware store for a new tool!

09-19-2015, 04:38 PM	#13
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,917	Thanks guys... it is just so weird that on 1 side the clevice bolts are of different sizes, makes no sense!