alright, i got my new struts in today. the passenger side went in without a problem. the nut stays in place and everything is tight. however, the driver side, the strut itself was tough to get to compress when we tested it. also, the but is tight to the shaft, but the top of the strut spins. is that supposed to do that? i think there is a bearing in there, right?

 

Shocks and struts will act funny when you first put them on. That is because they sit in a box laying on thier side for a while and the oil settles on a side. Once it has sat upright for a while they will be normal.
The shaft will turn as you tighten the nut. That is why the top is either a small hex or two flat sides for a wrench or special tool that fits it.

 

no, the nut is on there tight. the problem was the shaft of the strut continued to spin freely even after it was tight (it was spinning in the peice it is secured to). it isnt doing it as freely as it was yesterday, but the car is still on jack stands awaiting brake rotors and pads

 

It will turn. If it did not how would the car steer?

 

maybe you dont know what i mean. where the top nut of the strut meets with the strut plate, on the fender, is the shaft of the strut still supposed to spin even after the nut is tightened as much as possible?