hi Barry
providing your not making the shaft sounds right, you can used the cutter part on the small flat near the ball socket as manual, or
its worth getting some good shock pliers,
https://www.racing-cars.com/multi-sh...grey-am190031g
the threeded ones are no stronger, they just make there less chance of the piston e clip coming off, if you do change to them you will need the screws and spacer