Just a quick question. I installed new front struts yesterday on my 1996 Accord. I noticed that I installed the washer underneath the strut locknut on the passenger side upside down. Can I just remove that locknut and flip the washer over? Or do I have to take the whole damn thing out again? Thanks!

 

If the car is the ground and the suspension is in compression I think you should be able to take that nut off. However, I am not 100% sure on this and suspension is not something you want to **** around with because it could hurt you or your car if you do something wrong so i would rent a spring compressor and just reinstall it to be safe.

 

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, the lazy part of me wants to just give it a go. But like you, I don't wanna mess up the car or get hurt. I already have spring compressors, so that's no problem. Maybe I will give the nut a few turns and see what happens? Worst case, I have to take the whole thing out right?

 

Wow I just did that about a month ago. DO NOT JUST TAKE OFF THE NUT. Always be safe. It's a lesson learned for next time, just like mine was. I recommend the take it out, compress, flip, and re-install. You'll never mount it upside-down again, remembering how much extra work it is to take it back out AGAIN. But hoo-rah for going it your own instead of paying for it to have it done.

 

So you took the nut off without removing the strut? What happened? I would think that either the strut rod would move up, or the the spring would decompress even with the weight of the car on it, and make a large, ugly, expensive mess.