Loose suspension strut

[helloween]

Bit of a newbie question, but I can't find another related post, so here goes...

For the past few weeks I've been hearing metallic squeaking and rattling sounds from the O/S/F area whilst driving along over even the smallest of bumps, upon closer investigation I think i've found the cause, which seems to be the O/S/F suspension strut. Its loose at the top where the bolt goes into the large washer and bush, I can literally move it around 360 degrees! I'm assuming this isn't normal as I can't move the top of the strut on the other side of the truck. So, perhaps stupidly I thought I could just get the socket set out and have a go at tightening it up, if perhaps it had worked itself loose, but when I attempt to tighten it I can see the metal rod that goes into the strut just turning around when I turn the bolt, and it remains loose. Does this mean its knackered and I need new suspension struts or is it fixable? Part of the problem is that I am not in the UK at the moment and my only option is a Toyota main dealer, unless I get parts shipped out here and have a go at fitting myself, although as I'm sure you can tell I'm no mechanic!

Any advice?


Cheers

[surfenstein]

is there not an allen key slot in the top of the rod?????

[helloween]

Doesn't seem to be, just had a probe at it with some allen keys, I've attached 2 pictures so you can see what I'm talking about as maybe I'm not being clear. I cant see why I can't just tighten up the nut, seems to be welded to the screw thread, tried some WD40 on it to free it up but no good...

Thanks a lot

[davemaxx]

its cross threaded and jamed, you need to hold the plunger with a pair of mole grips or stilsons and then get the nut off and repair the thread. you will probably find that it will tighten down a lot further than in the picture, the rubber bush needs to be compressed down to about 10 or 12 mm thick.