So I've been hearing a knocking, clicking sound coming from my front left wheel area for a week or so, and I finally got the time to figure out what it was. After taking off the wheel and greasing all of my grease points (the ones who's bushings would hold grease) and I kept shaking things to try to find the sound. Found it!!! The shock seemed to be loose at the top. Okay... no problem, I can just tighten the nut! Wrong! The "stabilizer nut" (?) was stripped (photo) and I couldn't tighten it. After using my noggin for a bit, I was able to get the wrench on the nut, and some vise-grips on the little flange thingy (yes, that's a technical term) and I was able to tighten it a bit. After I got past what I could only assume was some lock-tight, I was only able to tighten it a few millimeters. The wrench was still turning fairly easily, so I'm thinking it may be a bit stripped too. I test drove it and the sound was gone, but I think it'll probably happen again. SO.......... to my questions...... Am I going to have to replace the whole shock? Is there anything else I can do to get it tighter? Anybody else have this happen?

Here's the photo of what I'm talking about.

 

Pull the boot down, use visegrips on the rod as close to the top as possible.

 

I thought about doing that today, I was just worried about damaging the shock. Should it be ok?

 

keep the visegrips as high as possible and you'll be okay.

 

Thanks. So, if the nut on top wasn't feeling like it was tightening anymore.... I'm assuming it is stripped right? I know it's hard to guess when you aren't physically there. But thank you for the help.