GM Tool for Front Lift Strut Repair

[Oly]

My 22 Z51 with mag ride and front lift started leaking brake fluid at front right wheel area in January. Took her to local dealership on 9 Jan and when assessed, tech said that front right lift strut was leaking. And It was not the vent cap up on the reservoir. That had already been replaced with newer version, third iteration. Everything above the strut was dry. Dealer said part was NOT available and had no ETA. After 45 days of waiting and threadbare patience, I contacted GM Executive Resolution Team in Detroit. The replacement strut magically arrived at the dealership, unannounced, two weeks later. Finally got the car into the shop for repair only to be told that they did not have all of the GM proprietary tools to take the strut assembly apart. They have been searching for over two weeks now with no luck. The specific tool they need is GM Part CH-52936, called a Strut Rod Socket. ETA from GM is December 2023! I've contacted the Detroit folks again, and they are having a hard time finding one as well. I've contacted various retailers across the country who list the tool, but everyone is out of stock.

Does anyone have access to this tool, GM Part CH-52936, either as a purchase or a loaner arrangement, so that I can get my car repaired? I do not want to wait till December! HELP!

[Frenzy36]

First off - Welcome to the forum - Sorry to hear of your issue. Calling dealerships in your area may be the short term fix. I know the tech who was supposed to be certified for the C8 should have those specific tools. Good luck.

[John]

What ugliness you have been through. And are still going through. We are sorry Oly! I would start something behind the scenes that I hope might help you, e.g. would begin tomorrow if no one has been able to find your tool today. Please PM me tomorrow morning if that is the case.

[meyerweb]

You might reach out to the Executive Resolution Team again. Thank them for getting the strut, but tell them that you're still dead in the water because the dealer can't get the tool.

[Oly]

First off - Welcome to the forum - Sorry to hear of your issue. Calling dealerships in your area may be the short term fix. I know the tech who was supposed to be certified for the C8 should have those specific tools. Good luck.

Thanks. Local service director at my dealership and district rep have already contacted every dealership in the Phoenix metro area with no luck. As for techs having tools, here is the sing-song I get at the dealership: They don't buy proprietary tools for a specific repair on a specific model, until a customer actually comes in with that issue. They have the other two tools required for the task, but are lacking this one tool. Their ace C8 tech purchased one of those tools on this own for his personal tool box (he did not purchase it from GM) but cannot find this particular tool. They had the third tool because it is not unique to the C8. Detroit is looking beyond my local area via district reps to see if she can't hunt one down and get it to my dealership. No luck to date and my car continues to bleed. I've done my best to keep the brake fluid off my epoxy floor, which it has already scored, and the wheel. If wheel is corroded by brake fluid, I will be asking GM for a new replacement wheel too. All this after only 2272 miles on the odometer. Pathetic!

[Oly]

You might reach out to the Executive Resolution Team again. Thank them for getting the strut, but tell them that you're still dead in the water because the dealer can't get the tool.

Thanks, but that is already done, including the huge thank you for the part, which apparently was diverted from Bowling Green production line. See my reply to Frenzy36.

[Oly]

What ugliness you have been through. And are still going through. We are sorry Oly! I would start something behind the scenes that I hope might help you, e.g. would begin tomorrow if no one has been able to find your tool today. Please PM me tomorrow morning if that is the case.

Ohhhh! Thank you so much. I just talked to my Detroit Executive Resolution Team contact yesterday and she had just pushed out some pleas to district reps outside of my area. She's on it but didn't sound hopeful. They have a lot of clout to get stuff done at her level (reference the part) so I am going to give her a few days to find the tool. If not, then I will PM you. Thanks again for your support.

[John]

Hope they succeed to getting that key tool located and transmitted to your dealership. They might have way more clout to make this happen than anyone. But if they do not, I would do my best.

Good luck!

[Mr DJ]

I found that part here: https://gmtoolsandequipment.com/en-U...x?SKU=CH-52936

[RKCRLR]

I found that part here: https://gmtoolsandequipment.com/en-U...x?SKU=CH-52936

Yea, but look at the ship date.

Here is a tool that performs the same function but I don't know if you can convince a dealer to use it:
https://www.paragonperf.com/c8-corve...e-socket-.html

[Mr DJ]

RKCRLR I didn't check ship dates; Paragon was actually my first thought; glad you posted it.

[Oly]

Yea, but look at the ship date.

Here is a tool that performs the same function but I don't know if you can convince a dealer to use it:
https://www.paragonperf.com/c8-corve...e-socket-.html

Yes, ship date is in December. Easy to miss unless you click the "Check Availability" link.

Talked to some folks at CForce Performance (a Paragon vendor) who sent me some links to two Paragon Performance videos that show how to use their tool to remove strut for lowering kits. Should work. It does not include the inner 8.8MM tool to arrest the rod itself, but it looks like the tech should just be able to clamp down the bottom strut fork to keep the strut rod from rotating while using the Paragon tool to loosen the upper 17MM nut. I'm gonna run it by the dealer's tech and see if he is willing to use it even if I purchase it and let him keep it. Other alternatives are bleak so I'm hoping he will bend a little. Thanks for the help!

[sawdust]

Another version of such a tool is by Schwaben 17mm strut nut socket, P/N 03046SCH01A-07 that I used.



There's also the Lisle 17mm line socket that may be the OEM for the Paragon.

[Oly]

Okay, so I ordered the Paragon tool and it should arrive today. Fairly inexpensive at $19.95. Next move is to visit stealership and see if their tech will actually use it. Since he purchased one tool for his bag, outside of the GM supply chain, I'm hoping he won't blink on using this aftermarket tool. I'll report back with results. Still no word from the GM Executive Resolution Team. Thanks for the support folks!

[MGfoursixeight]

As previously mentioned that is the strut nut tool for mag ride equipped C8's but can be used on non-mag ride cars as well. It is an essential tool for Corvette dealers and should have been included with other C8 specific tools shipped to dealers during the C8 launch. (assuming that the dealer is Corvette certified)