How to tighten strut mount bushing?

[riotburn]

I picked up BC racing coilovers and gotten stuck trying to install the bushing that holds down the top mount. I bought the special tool that fits into the slots but the strut keeps spinning when tightening. What's the trick here? Manual says to torque to 36ftlb.

[K Simmonds]

There should be an Allen head slot in the top of the strut, I think it's 7mm off the top of my head but seem to recall it being a 6mm on some dampers, anyway it's one or the other. One stop's the strut from turning by using this, I made my own tool to do these and simply get them up as tight as I reasonably can which is probably around 35ftb or close to 50nm as it's obviously hard to get a torque wrench on at the same time as stopping the strut turning.

You'll find it much easier once they're on the car as the weight of the vehicle helps to stop them moving about as well as rotating, I always just get them beyond hand tight off the car then tweak them up again once fitted.

[Tractor Dave]

I made a tool by welding a socket onto an old ring spanner. I see Bacho now do a nice open ended socket set that would work nicely and also work for the top nut.
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[riotburn]

Yea I tried using that 22mm open socket over the slotted socket with an allen key but couldn't make it any tighter. The mount still wiggles a little. Guess I can try again when it's on the car.

[K Simmonds]

you'll find it much easier once the suspension is fitted, without the weight of the vehicle on them there will always be a little play in the bearing, this is normal and nothing to worry about...

I really wouldn't be too concerned about it as long as you've gotten the nut tight you'll be fine, once the weight of the car is on them they can't go anywhere unless you plan on getting the car airborne the entire assembly is in compression the whole time. I've worked on many B3/4 cars and have quite often found that nut is butchered and finger tight presumably because someone hasn't had the correct tool's and it hasn't caused problems.