I just finished installing my Tokico D-Spec shocks and struts a few days ago, but I had some problems torquing the retaining nuts to the proper specs. I would ratchet and ratchet and ratchet but the wrench would never "pop". Finally I took a few turns with a box wrench and what I found was the strut/shock shafts were turning with the retaining nut. I abandoned the torque wrench and used two box wrenches to tighten the nuts as best I could.

Anybody else have this problem? I can't figure out how to torque the nuts I am unable to use the wrench.

 

You can use a crow foot on your torque wrench. It changes the reading though, you have to compensate for the additional leverage. Somewhere I had the formula, but I can't find it.

 

A couple quick blasts with an impact gun.

The hits will turn the nut, a bit at a time. While hopefully the rod doesn't spin.

 

bad idea, do NOT use an impact to tighten the struts. Use the open end wrenches and get them fairly tight, check them again after a little driving to make sure they aren't loosening. Just don't over tighten them.

 

Yes, you are correct. It is a bad idea for amatuers to use impact tools for assembling.
For that matter the only accepted tool is a torque wrench.

But if you have a feel for these things, which you will after swapping out many pairs of struts. A quick blast of an impact gun will turn the nut without turning the rod.