spring install. Help needed asap!

[Jeemee]

Today I figured I install my tanabe df210s today. weather isn't on my side and is on the verge of a downpour, but I'll work in the rain if I half to.

I've ran into numerous problems just taking off the front stock suspension. I started on the driver side and ended up having to take the wiper assembly out and all the metal shrouds due to lack of tools I suppose.

Anyways, I cant seem to get the top strut nut off, at all. Won't budge. Everything I have tried hasn't worked. If I keep up trying I'll end up striping everything out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[1NZYaris1]

Have you had a read of this .

[Jeemee]

man I have read both DIYs. I see a good impact being the only way. Both DIYs said they did it with a open box end and a 6mm hex. But my bluepoint wrench couldn't get that angle even with the wiper assembly removed and the black shroud. Both the wrench and hex were slipping and SAE stuff wouldn't fit properly either. I can understand how to do it, but I can't figure how the fuck to do it, lol.

I have given up today, but if anyone has any tips on how to do this easily please let me know.

Anyone in central Arkansas on here? Know of anyone with an impact or maybe a more vast selection of tools?

[Jeemee]

Step 14 = :bs:

http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww10/Jeemee/Untitled-2.jpg

[ozmdd]

Make sure you aren't trying to remove the spring top nut, it isn't supposed to be removed until the strut is out of the vehicle. Remove the 3 smaller nuts. I think the larger center nut might be spinning the strut rod anyway, so it might not back all the way off. Either way, you DO NOT want to release all that spring tension while the strut is still on the car. Very bad. If you follow the DIY, the Yaris struts should be one of the easiest removals out there. The rear is even better.

[Jeemee]

You know, you just may be right! Can anyone clarify this, as it's not really that specific in the DIYs. Are the two nuts, one holding the top of the strut in place and one holding the spring. This is how I assumed it was. It very well may be only one nut, and it's hold the spring.

You know, I never thought of that! :iono: Let's make me feel stupid shall we:cry: lol

[cali yaris]

It's one nut.

due to lack of tools I suppose.

Probably. A 17mm OFFSET box wrench will get that nut off without having to remove the shrouding.

[Jeemee]

Yeah, no offset wrench, but do I need to loosen the nut first, or will it come out without? I removed the shroud so I could reach it but it would not budge.

Here's a quick list of what I did

Took wheel off.
Took nut off of sway bar link.
Took off both lower strut bolts and nuts
Took off wipers, assembly, and shroud
Took off brake line nut
Took off dust cap on top of strut (a 17mm nut stared up at me and laughed :evil:)

Here's a quote from the "Tanabe" DIY:
Once all is removed, the only thing holding the strut/spring assy., is the upper nut.
...Leading me to assume there are two nuts.

[ozmdd]

[QUOTE]It's one nut./QUOTE]

Crap. I mixed-up my Yaris w/ my Miata. I've changed struts/spring on both in the last couple of months. Sorry about making things even more confusing.

[ozmdd]

Are you holding the shaft with an allen wrench while you loosen the 17mm with an open-ended wrench or offset box?

Also, you can get an affordable/decent offset box wrench set (metric) for $10-$15 at your local Auto Zone or Wally world. Well worth the investment.

[Jeemee]

Are you holding the shaft with an allen wrench while you loosen the 17mm with an open-ended wrench or offset box?

Yes. 6mm. Started to slip before it broke loose (allen key not wrench).

[Malaya1221]

need to take off the top nut bolt first to remove it...u could buy a cheap $30 lighter operated impact wrench at kragen or autozone...03z33 and i were having the same problem yesterday and he decided to buy those cheap impact wrench...sucker works like magic..:smile:

[Jeemee]

If there is only one nut (assuming it holds in the spring) do I need to loosen it to remove the strut assembly from the car? At which then I'd compress the springs for an easier removal of course.

[Jeemee]

need to take off the top nut bolt first to remove it...u could buy a cheap $30 lighter operated impact wrench at kragen or autozone...03z33 and i were having the same problem yesterday and he decided to buy those cheap impact wrench...sucker works like magic..:smile:

Thanks!! Question about impact: Pneumatic or Electric?

[Jeemee]

Oh and I have a 18v Makita Impact Driver. A buddy has it right now. It puts out about 100ft/lbs of torque I believe. Think that will get it done?

[Malaya1221]

12v electric impact wrench

struts have two bolts...one on top that holds a plate to the car and the second one will b the one holding the spring down...we did not decompress the springs...we held the strut down pointing to a safe direction and used the impact wrench....have fun!

[frownonfun]

i was having hell getting that nut off also... it broke loose fairly easy with some quick taps on the wrench with a rubber mallet. i say taps but really i had to hit it pretty hard. just make sure the wrench is on good.

[Jeemee]

Thanks again!

12v electric impact wrench
Know the torque rating of it?

we did not decompress the springs...we held the strut down pointing to a safe direction and used the impact wrench
That's how I installed my skunk2s on my old prelude lol! I figured I'd go the safe route since I'm alone.

I'd like to thank everyone for the fast responses. I was a little worried about the speed as of my last post of my exhaust (been only a few posts and it's been up over 24 hrs lol)

I will attempt once again tomorrow unless weather says no. If I run into any problems I'm sure everyone will hear from me again. Glad I decided to tackle the hard part first lol

[Malaya1221]

sorry, did not check the torque rating...looks really cheap though but it does the job...

[gsf1200m]

I had this type of problem putting springs in my xD last weekend. Couldnt get that nut to budge. What we finally did was instead of holding the allen wrench still and turning the 17mm wrench, we held the wrench still and turned the allen wrench. Broke free right away but make sure you are pressing the allen wrench the opposite way that you think you should. Hope this makes sense. If the Yaris is the same it was impossible to turn the 17mm and keep it on the nut at at the same time at that angle.

[Riced-yaris]

I've bought my springs for a year. Finally got around to doing it....All I can say is I much rather work on my other cars. Never have I encountered a random 6mm allen key...sighh...My girls car is a low rider rite now, front stock and rear slammed, I gotta wait for the store to open tmw...

[YarisSedan]

+1 on moving the alan wrench. It is what i did. I ended up getting a small long tube to put on the end of the wrench to make it like a breaker bar. And then it broke free. Just make sure 100 percent you have the right size alan key.

[CtrlAltDefeat]

The top nut was a stone bitch for mine...
I covered the install here...
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=242545&postcount=34
once i figured out the shroud had to come off and the right kind of offset wrench, it took a lot of liquid wrench, and cursing :laugh:

[coheed]

I hit it with a impact and it just popped right off. :iono:

[MGargano]

I removed the cowl and used an impact gun to take the top nut off, so no allen wrench required... no problems at all.

[Jeemee]

It is raining pretty bad right now and my phone says it will continue to do so all week. As soon as the weather permits I'll complete the install.

Last night I once again attempted with my 18v impact driver and it moved it all the way to the top then couldn't overcome the spinning bolt. I'm certain with some pb blaster and a few short blasts with the impact it shouldn't be a problem. My impact was quite noisy in the silence of my neighborhood, plus it was starting to storm so I called it a night.

For anyone who hasn't done this install and plans to, I'd recommend you investing in an impact. Makes the install faster and easier. $30 for the 12v one at Autozone, I think he said.

[IllusionX]

jeemee: did you actually compress the springs before trying to undo the top bolt (the one that is holding the top plate to the strut.

Ok, i may be more confusing than anything else.. is the whole thing still attached to the car?

[bzinn 1]

6mm allen wrench on the center and a offset 17mm box wrench on the top bolt and it comes right off.....remove the 3 bolts holding strut to the car,remove the brake line,remove the 2 bolts holding strut to car via a arm....

drop jack down fromthe strut and tap with mallet if it does not drop right down,be sure brake line is off of it,take out strut and put on spring compressors,once compressed remove the second bolt,which will come right out at this point,then install new spring,no need to use compressor with the DFs to reinstall as it all fits back together,cut bump stop and put plate back on and reinstall to car.......

very easy.

[frownonfun]

i don't think anyone is confused with the steps... just having trouble completing one of them.

[MUSKOKA800]

Applying ample torque to loosen the top nut while holding the allen key can be a frustrating and painful experience. My car was relatively new plus I had all the correct tools and it was still a struggle. Once it pops you're good a gold. But until then...OUCH!!!

[MUSKOKA800]

Applying ample torque to loosen the top nut (show above in the diagram) while holding the allen key (to secure the shaft) can be a frustrating and painful experience. My car was relatively new and I had all the correct tools and it was still a struggle. Once it pops you're good a gold. But until then...OUCH!!! Super long allen keys would certainly help. A rigid tube over the keys long side to extend it and provide more leverage would certainly help.

[Jeemee]

Ok so I ran into yet another problem. Here's my question: After one installs the tanabe df210s on the front, how many threads stick above the top nut once completely tight? More than with stock springs?

[MadMax]

Have you tried a breaker bar? What about PB Blaster? Both of those were great in helping me put a suspension lift on my Jeep, and I plan to use them again when I get some DF210s for my Yaris...

But I will be honest, I am not looking forward to doing the front springs!

[Jeemee]

Have you tried a breaker bar? What about PB Blaster? Both of those were great in helping me put a suspension lift on my Jeep, and I plan to use them again when I get some DF210s for my Yaris...

But I will be honest, I am not looking forward to doing the front springs!

I couldn't use a breaker bar because of the 6mm allen. I used a ton of PB Blaster. Probably half a can on that one nut, but of course I made like 5 attempts taking that one nut. It finally broke off. Which is why I need to know if the shorter springs provide more threads.

As for the front springs, I think if you just skip the whole 6mm allen step and just use a good impact (one with 200+ ft/lbs of torque) it would be a rather easy install. I hope you have much better luck than I.

I've personally have had so much trouble with the front, I thinking I might just wait until I can order so struts (considering Tokico Blues.)

[thebarber]

there will be more threads sticking thru the top of the strut top because the df's will be shorter than stock springs

the spring/strut combo up front is compressed together with a nut and cap that are separate from the nut you remove in the engine bay

the process is 100x easier w/ an impact wrench...i used one installing my coilovers and had no issues removing the top nut.......however i sprayed every nut w/ penetrating lube the day before the install so all the nuts would crack easily...

hope the rest of your install goes smoother...!