Sorry to be a pain folks, but I have just been thwarted trying to put my front lowering springs on. I fell at the first hurdle. I can't find an Allen key to fit in the bolt of the top of the sway bar link to shock absorber bolt. Even an impact gun can't get it off. The nut is 16mm. Me and my neighbours must have tried a hundred keys, but none fit. Any ideas please. I did the rears easily.

 

Could it be a Torx bit?

 

Install instructions from Cravenspeed https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...UBsgexn_Uw/pub

shows tools required.

 

Not sure, it appears to be a bit in between. I will have another go tomorrow with the other side, as I have chewed it up a wee bit.

 

Those Craven instructions look very good. They say Torx 27. If you have mangled it too far, you could use a more destructive method to get it out, then replace the end links. Use a dremmel to cut a slot on the end for a big flat-head screwdriver. Or use a slightly smaller flat head and pound it in with a hammer. Or use a vise grip right on the threads, though then you'd have to get the nut past the mangled threads...

To replace the end links, there are a couple good options. This one from Moog is factory size, but all metal. Something like $15 each (careful, 1 per pack).

https://www.fme-cat.com/overlays/par...r%20Bar%20Link

I used that one for a while. With my KW coilovers, I did have some contact when going over driveway dips (big compression, plus lots of wheel turn), and that bugged me. Not sure if it's an issue on stock shocks- the KW tabs are in a different position. So I got adjustable links. Found these to be low-priced, and seem to do the trick. Only just installed them, but so far no more contact. They are like $70 for the pair. They don't list f56 application, but the ones for 2nd gen Mini were the right length. They can reach stock length, but I set mine to about an inch shorter than stock.

https://godspeedproject.com/suspensi...html?mode=list

Good luck!

 

Thanks very much. That is very helpful. I will give some of your good suggestions a go.

 

Did the nut spin with the impact gun?
You might have damaged the damper internally.

 

The Moog links are fine with the stock dampers, no contact at all.

 

Thanks

 

Hi folks. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. It turned out to be a TX30. Got it off with an impact screwdriver in the end. Have fitted AC Schnitzer springs. I am very pleased with them. Will up rate sway bar links and bar soon, then maybe some good shocks. Maybe some 18" wheels if I am lucky. Thanks again. Nick.

 

I asked earlier, did you spin the center shaft while trying to remove the nut?

 

TV, I think you're asking about the strut shaft, right? His issue was removing the end-link. Probably not such a problem to spin that.

 

No. It wasn't the shock absorber top nut that I had trouble with. It was the sway bar top link bolt. I had a pass through socket for the shock nut.

 

My mistake!