Other than another spanner wrench, I'm not sure what you can do without scarring the adjuster ring. I bought a steel spanner from Aldan, but haven't used it yet. I assume yours is aluminum?

One thing that might help is to put a thrust bearing set under the spring. I bought them off of Summit. Also, take the load off the shock.

 

Mel, this is not a solution to your problem with the Spanner Wrench but here is a thread that goes along the same lines that may help you out a little http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4109&highlight=winmon
I have not seen Winmon/Dave on here for a while but i know if you wanted and sent him PM he would gladly help you out if you need:tu

 

Chevynut,
Yes, the adjusting ring is aluminum and it is getting marred just from their spanner wrench. It came with a thrust bearing kit (which is installed). QA1's tech said to put anti-seize on it. I shot the threads with WD40 and that helped. We used a pipe/breaker bar on the little spanner wrench which really helped. We're close to where we want to be but, I need a tad more besides, there is still the other side! What else, car jacked up, wheels off. So, the front end is just hanging. No weight on the front. These Carrera/QA1's are poorly designed! Their higher priced models (adjustable shocks) are much better designed with a heavier spanner wrench with a stronger adjusting ring.

Marty,
It seems like Winmon/Dave had another issue. It seems more like a ball joint issue. But, I'd be curious as to how Dave adjusted his shocks.

Thanks guys!
Mel

 

Mel having done mostly streetrods the last 20 years i have gone thru the same thing.First wd 40 is great but anti seize is what you want to use.In the past I have used a piece of wood or a long screwdriver in the slots on the adjuster and gently tapped them around with a hammer.If you are careful it won't tear things up & works pretty good.

 

Not sure if this is a help or not but the spanner I bought from Aldan looks like a pretty good tool. Not sure if I could bent it ornot but I doubt it. Wonder if that tool would work on QA's or not. I think it was around 30 bucks.


One thing that might help is to put a thrust bearing set under the spring. I bought them off of Summit. Also, take the load off the shock.[/quote]
Hmm I think I'll go with a set for mine. I had no idea there was such a thing.

 

Mel: Perhaps you have a mechanic friend who has real industrial strength spanner wrenches you could borrow, just a thought.
Merry Christmas.....Bob

 

Bob, are you saying that you might know of a mechanic that might have this industrial strength spanner wrench? Thanks but, today I decided to just try the channel locks and guess what? It worked better than any spanner wrench. Even the damage to the adjusting ring was less than using the spanner wrench! Go figure!