Strut rod nut. I'm stuck!

[gdcpony]

Ok how do you get the top bolt off the rear strut? I have the spring compressed and there is nothing to grip on the strut rod. It is flat on one side but the other is round. I can't FUBAR the threads as the strut is going back in. The coil is broke and I am trying to replace it. I have blasted it with PB and have a MAP torch, but am leery of heating with the bushings there. Normally I would be replacing the strut and there would be a cutting wheel involved already, but the finances don't allow for it right now.

The vehicle is needed by 12pm tomorrow. HELP Please!

 

[racin8]

Where's the spring broke?

Both of my rear springs are broke half way around the first the coil at the top very common break.

Been that way for two years, it's some more of Ford's poor quality parts, like the back gate plastic crack I also have.

 

[gdcpony]

Both the top and the bottom. Affects height by 1.5 inches and alignment too. I'm taking the driver side off now and those top 3 bolts suck. I take half my time on them for the whole removal. What's up there?
I am deciding whether to take the assemblies to a shop first thing in the morning or do a cheapo strut replacement- found some Gabriels at AutoZone for $23ea- and cut the nut. That is no one has some trick to try.
There would be no problem if the wife would drive stick! We have two stick vehicles that she wanted me to have and won't drive either.

 

[gnzth01]

Ok how do you get the top bolt off the rear strut? I have the spring compressed and there is nothing to grip on the strut rod. It is flat on one side but the other is round. I can't FUBAR the threads as the strut is going back in. The coil is broke and I am trying to replace it. I have blasted it with PB and have a MAP torch, but am leery of heating with the bushings there. Normally I would be replacing the strut and there would be a cutting wheel involved already, but the finances don't allow for it right now.

The vehicle is needed by 12pm tomorrow. HELP Please!

There's typically a spot for an allen or torx wrench/bit on the very top of the rod.

I'ver looked at the Ex's struts though

I used an an impact gun to get mine of when I did our Buick and Saturn, but they both had either a torx or allen head, as did the KYB replacements.