DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Not sure if these are the top mounts, but the big nylock nut on the top of the front struts - how do those come off?

Turning with a spanner seems to be applying torsion down the strut, which I wasn't comfortable with. How should the torsion be resisted - where does the 2nd spanner go?

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

Easy answer is an impact driver. If you don’t have one it’s a good excuse to buy tools!

Next level answer is that the big washer underneath has a notch in it that engages in the groove in the strut, so using big vice grips/big screwdriver you can put some torque into the shaft to enable you to turn the nut.

And it’s ok if the whole shaft turns, it’s just spinning inside the damper

The nut should not be a nyloc, it should be a plain nut with a locking tab washer under it that has a location tab into the strut shaft slot.
When tight, you bend an appropriate tab up tight to the side of the nut flat.
Your removal is exactly as Gary describes Rob.

My Bilsteins came with Nylocs so that’s what went on!

I meant originally on the car.
My 73 has as I described. I made a spanner to hold the strut piston rod while I did the nut up.

Must be right, my car is soooo original!

Big channel locks on that washer are what worked for me.

I would be leery of using an impact wrench to put them back together though - best stick to hand tools. A mate had the top of a Bilstein strut snap off on a 993; thankfully it happened entering his drive and not at speed as the geo went rather wonky. A rattle gun was blamed. Not sure if the allegation was accurate but not worth the risk IMHO.

Thanks for the tips.