Aside from a pipe wrench, what works best to remove the big gland packing nut from the strut? The FSM says kent-moore J 26803, but that tool is proving impossible to locate. Anybody fabricate something for this job?

 

I've always used a pipe wrench.

 

Or a big pair of channel locks, or a big wrench.

 

Hmmm. Yeah the pipe wrench first. It would work great to remove the gland nut. It's not suitable to torque down the new one with the strut cartridge update. I can't imagine how to hook up a torque wrench to a pair of channel locks either. I considered a big wrench but the cost is prohibitive. There are two sizes: 55mm to remove the nut and 51mm to install the new one. The outer casing is 50mm and the pipe wrench is sure to marr the tube. A 24" adjustable has the capacity and torque really isn't that big a deal because the specs are quite a wide range. Like 51-94 ft-lbs. But there are pin wrenches that you can use with torque wrenches and drivers. That may be what I need.

But, what the question was if anybody knew where a correct tool can be found? Or if someone made one I'd like to hear about it. I saw one where a guy pressed two tapered pins into a pair of channel locks.

 

Go to local Home Depot / Hardware store, buy correct wrench, use, return to store as you "got the wrong size".

I used a big set of vice grips. Worked fine on the removal and install... no problems torquing it down.

Ever tried NISSAN? Look up the tool part# in the FSM and call Nissan.

If you want a NISSAN part / tool, you go to NISSAN.

 

Vice grips looked like the best way to go. I found some large jaw pipe locking pliers and added the torque bar to them. I bolted a lever to the wheel's lug stud and it came right off without any mess or damage. Nice Call!

 

If big channel locks don't budge it, use a hammer & chisel to persuade it to rotate...you get a new one anyway with your replacement strut insert.