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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Do I need special socket/tool for opening a front strut?



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      03-18-2019, 03:56 PM   #23
TheMidnightNarwhal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pjr710 View Post
i just did this .. you need a 21mm pass through socket or you need that special tool AND you need a long metric allen key.

I didn't have either! I used an impact gun to get it off, but you don't want to do that to put it on.

To put it on I used a 21mm socket ... put small allen key through it which just made it .. then use another allen key with vice grips to put in the socket side hold and turn it that way until it bottomed out - I DON'T recommend this.

The easiest way will probably be to get a 21MM pass through socket - unfortunately my HF pass through set did not have that size - I only found out after I had my first strut out and uncompressed!
Yeah.. well I've got the 21mm special socket ordered with my order already and long enough HEX in my toolbox so I'm good for unbolting. For the new 19mm nut on the coilovers I'll "rent" a pass thru socket set with the wrench and tight it that way. All the pass thru seems to stop at 19mm .
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      03-18-2019, 06:29 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Yeah.. well I've got the 21mm special socket ordered with my order already and long enough HEX in my toolbox so I'm good for unbolting. For the new 19mm nut on the coilovers I'll "rent" a pass thru socket set with the wrench and tight it that way. All the pass thru seems to stop at 19mm .
Yea the HF one will work. It’s a good tool to have bc you actually need it for the rears as well. You even have to use the extension! It’s only like $20
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      03-18-2019, 06:34 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by pjr710 View Post
Yea the HF one will work. It’s a good tool to have bc you actually need it for the rears as well. You even have to use the extension! It’s only like $20
Oh where do I need it for the rear install? Videos I watched I didn't see anyone use it.
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      03-18-2019, 07:01 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Oh where do I need it for the rear install? Videos I watched I didn't see anyone use it.
Look at a rear shock. There’s a nipple at the end, with a hex head on it and it’s threaded. You need a pass through socket to get the nut on because it’s recessed into a hole in the rear control arm. At the same time you have to hold that hex head w a ratchet and extension.
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      03-19-2019, 06:32 AM   #27
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Spark plug sockets (not bmw spark plug sockets, too small) work perfectly with this, they have pass through top and a hex head.
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      03-19-2019, 06:41 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pjr710 View Post
Look at a rear shock. There’s a nipple at the end, with a hex head on it and it’s threaded. You need a pass through socket to get the nut on because it’s recessed into a hole in the rear control arm. At the same time you have to hold that hex head w a ratchet and extension.
Ok I'm not sure videos show easy to take off. I'll have the kit with me though so if I need it I'll have it,
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      03-19-2019, 07:20 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Ok I'm not sure videos show easy to take off. I'll have the kit with me though so if I need it I'll have it,
The rear shocks are real easy. But yea the nut is recessed and the only way to get it is with the pass thru socket and extension.
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      03-25-2019, 08:25 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
The Schwaben socket is crap. Bought it, tried it, returned it.

Before finding out about the pass-thru socket set, I made my own pass-thru socket by grinding faces for an open-end wrench in the sides of a regular socket. Works great. I'll continue to use it for initial loosening and final torqueing, since you can (have to) put a big-ass wrench on it, but I plan to pick up the HF set to save time ratcheting the rest of the nut's travel.
How come the socket is bad? Also I just realised you need 21mm and that harbot freight kit don't have a 21 mm passthrough so it wouldn't even work?
I have the schwaben version and it worked great for me when I did my B12 Kit.
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      03-25-2019, 08:26 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pjr710 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Ok I'm not sure videos show easy to take off. I'll have the kit with me though so if I need it I'll have it,
The rear shocks are real easy. But yea the nut is recessed and the only way to get it is with the pass thru socket and extension.
You can can use a ratchet wrench with a flex on it & an Allen key for the rear shocks on top
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      03-25-2019, 10:09 AM   #32
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Never used such a special socket for any of the multiple E9X front suspension re&res I have done. I just use an electric impact gun to pop off that to nut (it's so easy). When re-installing, make sure the car is on the ground and then tighten the top nut to spec by hand.

Done and done. No special socket necessary.
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      03-25-2019, 12:26 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by mweisdorfer View Post
You can can use a ratchet wrench with a flex on it & an Allen key for the rear shocks on top
Yeah watched a lot of videos on line and no one is using a pass through for the rear. So I'm fine.
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      03-25-2019, 03:11 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Yeah watched a lot of videos on line and no one is using a pass through for the rear. So I'm fine.
He’s saying on the top. On the bottom of the rear they will tell u u at least need a box wrench. Just look under your car, you can get a socket on the nut, but then it will spin. Keeping it from spinning the whole strut is why you would use the pass through and socket
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      03-25-2019, 03:18 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pjr710 View Post
He’s saying on the top. On the bottom of the rear they will tell u u at least need a box wrench. Just look under your car, you can get a socket on the nut, but then it will spin. Keeping it from spinning the whole strut is why you would use the pass through and socket
I just noticed I don't even have a 16mm combo wrench lol for the top one.

As for the bottom, you have a spot on the strut shaft to put a 15mm to lock it and avoid it spinning.
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      03-25-2019, 07:01 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
I just noticed I don't even have a 16mm combo wrench lol for the top one.

As for the bottom, you have a spot on the strut shaft to put a 15mm to lock it and avoid it spinning.
Definitely buy a ratcheting 16mm, otherwise you'll hate yourself for those 5 min trying to loosen that with a locknut.
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      08-18-2019, 08:15 PM   #37
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VW tool 21mm strut

I have this wrench from my VW days.

The 21mm should be good to remove the factory strut right?

https://www.kermatdi.com/i-1441-spec...t-sockets.html
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      09-14-2019, 10:55 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRed08 View Post
I have this wrench from my VW days.

The 21mm should be good to remove the factory strut right?

https://www.kermatdi.com/i-1441-spec...t-sockets.html
Yep, that will work perfectly on factory and Bilsteins. Shoot, I wish I knew about that tool. That's a great one.
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      09-13-2020, 07:30 PM   #39
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Need a little help... below is my strut nut (22mm) and strut shaft (10mm hex). How do I torque this strut nut while holding the hex shaft. I have seen the passthru (Schwaben) socket that allows an allen wrench (not applicable to me since no allen key drive on the shaft) and not sure how to torque with the other wrench type shown below. Thanks for any pointers!
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      09-13-2020, 09:56 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daytona_550 View Post
Need a little help... below is my strut nut (22mm) and strut shaft (10mm hex). How do I torque this strut nut while holding the hex shaft.
I think I found what I need on another thread:

TEKTON 47749 3/8-Inch Drive by 7/8-Inch (22 mm) Offset Oxygen Sensor Socket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMN4D1Q/
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