Need help! Installing KW/ST Suspensions ST X coilovers

[SE_PDX]

Well I though I had seen it all. Then I find this at the top of the rear strut rod of my new coilovers.

I can get a 1/2"-drive 11/16" socket over the nut, but I am at a loss for how to hold the 1/4" diameter round post with 2 flat 3/16" (or possibly 5mm) across.

There must be a way! I have wrangled vice-grips and needle-nose pliers on it but nothing that can overcome the Nylok much less generate even the modest 20N*m torque spec.

Of course I'm dead in the water on Sat nite and I have driving to do on Monday...

 

[SameGuy]

The rear uses a top bearing? Odd. I've used a strut clamp on front strut rods before but I haven't yet encountered that on rears. Mine looks like this, it's a MB "special tool" and fits 18 mm shafts. It looks like this:



But is the shaft unshrouded on the MINI rear shocks?

 

[SameGuy]

I think Schwaben makes the part I have, it was around 40 bucks, and I believe they also make a special socket set for BMW/VAG but I haven't seen it for a while.

 

[SameGuy]

Yup. The set looks like this:



Maybe you can borrow it locally, or if you plan to work on other cars it's probably worth the $120 or so.

 

[chrunck]

I have a socket similar to this one from when I did struts on my R53.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/strut-nut-socket-19mm/003046sch01a-02/

 

[SE_PDX]

The rear uses a top bearing? Odd. I've used a strut clamp on front strut rods before but I haven't yet encountered that on rears. Mine looks like this, it's a MB "special tool" and fits 18 mm shafts. It looks like this:

But is the shaft unshrouded on the MINI rear shocks?

Thanks for that! I wasn't aware of those. Although you'd need to be extremely clean and careful clamping the rod directly so as not to scratch it.

I see a tool fitting that description here but the price is nonsensical. It does have a modular plastic insert for different rod diameters.
https://www.freedomracing.com/j-49029-strut-rod-clamp-tool-ni-49029.html

The stock rod diameters Front & Rear are 22mm (7/8"?), 12.4mm (?)
The ST aftermarkets are 22mm, 18mm



On the STs, you can push the bump stop and shroud down to expose the shaft, as shown in the picture. At the top is my 17mm wheel lug socket with the plastic sleeve removed. It barely fits through the 25.8mm diameter opening, but it has a thru bore just under 1/2" diameter.

 

[SE_PDX]

I have a socket similar to this one from when I did struts on my R53.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/strut-nut-socket-19mm/003046sch01a-02/

Thanks, yes, that would work on the nut:
The stock strut nuts Front & Rear are 18mm (hex) & 16mm.
the ST versions' are 19mm (3/4") and 17mm.

I torqued the front like so: the rod shaft has a 9mm hex that may be held by a 1/4"-drive deep socket and a 3/8"-drive adapter to the torque wrench.


But that won't work on the rear because the rod doesn't have a 'normal' hex or Torx fitting. It is difficult to grab with normal tools.

 

[SE_PDX]

Yup. The set looks like this:

Maybe you can borrow it locally, or if you plan to work on other cars it's probably worth the $120 or so.

Aha!
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/schwaben-shock-and-strut-removal-set/026901sch01a/
But I am not confident that the kit includes the exact center socket that's needed.

Apparently the required socket is called "Oblate" and there is a 5.2mm size that is probably correct for the ST rear rod.





Much as I dislike falling into the clutches of Amazon, this looks like to most expedient solution given that my options for borrowing such a tool are pretty limited. I even checked Horror Freight!

Open to any other suggestions!

 

[SE_PDX]

OK so I'm back on the road! Just needed that one Oblate socket, which Amazon delivered in less than 24 hours.

BTW, InsideEVs was more effective in getting help than NorthAmerican Motoring, even though this was not an EV issue.
Here, 90-something views and two people responded substantively. There, 120-ish views and no response at all.

Thanks Guys! I will share my learnings and a review of the ST X on new threads, after I clean up the garage and my fingernails... Executive summary: Great handling upgrade with noticeably firmer but not harsh ride quality.

.

 

[SameGuy]

Ah! You already had the hollow socket/wrench, or you got the whole set? Awesome!

 

[SameGuy]

lol I was Google-fuing the last pic for a location without putting 2&2 together from your forum name. [facepalm]

 

[SE_PDX]

SG, I got the whole kit, to save a few hours of hunting down the critical socket from a shop or car club. And I highly recommend Montelupo if you're ever in Portland at dinnertime!

JonR sent me a PM with creative workarounds (he has or had these coilovers) but I went the extra mile to get a torque wrench on there because I am not confident in my ability to do it by feel.

Extra frustrating because for like $1 they could have thrown a socket in the box with the struts and saved me a lot of aggravation...

 

[amtrucker22]

Aha!
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/schwaben-shock-and-strut-removal-set/026901sch01a/
But I am not confident that the kit includes the exact center socket that's needed.

Apparently the required socket is called "Oblate" and there is a 5.2mm size that is probably correct for the ST rear rod.



View attachment 22659

Much as I dislike falling into the clutches of Amazon, this looks like to most expedient solution given that my options for borrowing such a tool are pretty limited. I even checked Horror Freight!

Open to any other suggestions!

Good information in this thread. Was the 5.2mm the correct size?

 

[SE_PDX]

5.2mm for certain! Sorry I've been so slow and not posted more info yet. In the mean time, if you have more specific questions feel free to ask.