Can anyone assure me that you don't need the Special Tool - Spring Seat holder when removing/Installing self locking nut from the front Macpherson Struts? My Haynes manual says to secure the strut "safely" in a vice when tensioning the nut but wouldn't it be really easy to stuff the strut in this manner? Can a strut piston/ assembly handle 70Nm of torque since its not designed to cope with this type of twisting force?

Has anyone bought one of these tools (MB991176) from Mitsu?

PS. I realise I still require a set of Spring compressors. (Special Tool)

you need a rattle gun.the impact from the gun loosens the nut,without it the shaft will just spin and not undo.you can hold the shaft up the top with vice grips but not recommended unless you are throwing shocks away as it can dammage the chroming on the shaft. find someone with a rattle gun or pay local mechanic to remove swap etc once you have removed the strutt assembly.

Just crack it loose while the strut is still in the car, and tighten it the same way. The shaft wont spin because it has a flat that locks into the top cap. No special tools required. Assuming gen 3 magna here

Just crack it loose while the strut is still in the car, and tighten it the same way. The shaft wont spin because it has a flat that locks into the top cap. No special tools required. Assuming gen 3 magna here

:stoopid: just how i did it