trying to replace insulator & bearing on my 2001 s40 front strut - can't remove nut that holds it on the shock. Any suggestions or where do I get a speciality tool 999-5500 & 999-5758.

 

Been there... You need an impact gun (air or electric). Hold the shaft with a pair of channel-locks. If you plan on reusing the strut, wrap a cloth around the shaft where you are using the channel-locks to protect the shaft. While holding the shaft with the channel-locks, use the impact gun to remove the top nut.

Another method is to drill through the nut along the shaft and split the nut off. This will destroy the nut and the shaft threads. Use this method only if you are replacing the strut and nut.
Stan

 

^ X2. An impact gun will spin that nut right off once you compress the strut spring. I did not even need to hold the strut shaft. Count the threads above the nut before removing it so during reinstallation you know the nut is secured properly.

KYB struts make excellent replacements for the stock struts.