I habe a 2002 R53 with the JCW suspention. One of the bolts on my front strut mount sheared off, and I've got a bit of shrooming, so I am in the process of replacing the mount. Actually doing both, as they are 14 years old.

I have the strut off the car, and the spring compressed, but for the life of me I cannot break the center main top nut loose. I've got a socket on it and my hex key keeping the shaft still, but I am actually starting to bend the hex wrench instead of freeing the nut when I try to get it to turn.

I've tried some PB Blaster on it, but it's still stuck. Any suggestions on getting it loose so I can swap the mount?

 

I've dealt with this a few times. If you want to same the strut (no promises) use heat on the nut. If the heat doesn't work I'd just get a new strut casing and cut the nut off to reuse the spring bro.

 

are you using an impact gun? soak the bolt with some pb blaster, then hit it with an air impact

 

I agree, if you have access or a friend with one, an impact may be helpful. We had to use one on our '02 R53.

 

I don't have one, and my compressor is way too puny for even a small impact gun. But I'm planning on grabbing an electric one (~230 ft lbs) after work and giving it a shot. I'll let you all know how it goes, thanks!

 

Victory. The impact was the way to go. Why I didn't buy one of these a decade ago I'll never know. Bolts and nuts are flying off now.

 

You are buying the plates to reinforce your strut towers correct? Otherwise it will prolly happen again fairly soon. Might as well while you have it all apart.

 

Why yes, yes I am.

 

They make such a difference for specific jobs like these. Sometimes I feel like the work I do on mine would have been way quicker if I just had one.