Joe, Check your local auto store, Advance, Pep Boys, Auto Zone etc, and look for the Ford Strut nut removal tool. It consists of two hollow hex sockets, one about 10mm and one about 17mm. Comes in a blister pack, sells for about $6. Soak with liquid wrench prior if it's really rusted. Good Luck Pete '83 533i shock strut. Have tried putting a pipe wrench and vice grips to the strut to hold it, as suggested in other posts, but nothing will grip the strut rod. Any suggestions are appreciated as I am getting desperate. I have new struts and upper strut bearings to install.