Need help removing rear shocks!!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 311
From: Illinois
Need help removing rear shocks!!
I'm in the process of installing some tokico shocks and struts. I cant get the rear shocks off. You can see in the picture that I almost have the nut off the top of the shock in the trunk. I got it this far by using some vice grips on the top of the bolt while turning the nut but that no longer work at this point and the nut is still very tight and turns the whole bolt with it. How do you get this sucker off? Thanks!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 311
From: Illinois
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
thanks but I let it soak for like half an hour in wd-40 and no difference. The nut is really tight and the bolt turns very easy. Maybe something is broke in the shock or something? I didn't even try the other side yet maybe it is suppose to come right off and I'm screwed?
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,544
From:
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
The nut should be very easy to remove. I think what happened is that you accidentally damaged the threads on the top of the shock with the vise-grips. Now you are trying to move the nut over the damaged threads.
In the future, don't use visegrips to hold the upper shaft of the shock. There are two flat spots on there. Use an open-end wrench or if you don't have one the right size, an adjustable wrench.
If this happened to me, I would use a nut splitter to get the nut off. If you don't have a nut splitter, then do what Wisconsin 5.0 suggested and hope the threads aren't screwed up too bad.
In the future, don't use visegrips to hold the upper shaft of the shock. There are two flat spots on there. Use an open-end wrench or if you don't have one the right size, an adjustable wrench.
If this happened to me, I would use a nut splitter to get the nut off. If you don't have a nut splitter, then do what Wisconsin 5.0 suggested and hope the threads aren't screwed up too bad.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,179
From: Nor Cal
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
ORIGINAL: CrazyAl
The nut should be very easy to remove. I think what happened is that you accidentally damaged the threads on the top of the shock with the vise-grips. Now you are trying to move the nut over the damaged threads.
In the future, don't use visegrips to hold the upper shaft of the shock. There are two flat spots on there. Use an open-end wrench or if you don't have one the right size, an adjustable wrench.
If this happened to me, I would use a nut splitter to get the nut off. If you don't have a nut splitter, then do what Wisconsin 5.0 suggested and hope the threads aren't screwed up too bad.
The nut should be very easy to remove. I think what happened is that you accidentally damaged the threads on the top of the shock with the vise-grips. Now you are trying to move the nut over the damaged threads.
In the future, don't use visegrips to hold the upper shaft of the shock. There are two flat spots on there. Use an open-end wrench or if you don't have one the right size, an adjustable wrench.
If this happened to me, I would use a nut splitter to get the nut off. If you don't have a nut splitter, then do what Wisconsin 5.0 suggested and hope the threads aren't screwed up too bad.
Never use Vise Grips with nuts and bolts in good condition since it destroys them. Use the proper tools.
Richard
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 311
From: Illinois
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
There aren't any threads on the the top 1/4 inch of the bolt thats why I used the vice grips. I was able to get if off by having somone hold the top of the shock so it didnt turn in the wheel well. Thanks for the suggestions.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,544
From:
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
ORIGINAL: blk05stang
There aren't any threads on the the top 1/4 inch of the bolt thats why I used the vice grips. I was able to get if off by having somone hold the top of the shock so it didnt turn in the wheel well. Thanks for the suggestions.
There aren't any threads on the the top 1/4 inch of the bolt thats why I used the vice grips. I was able to get if off by having somone hold the top of the shock so it didnt turn in the wheel well. Thanks for the suggestions.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,260
RE: Need help removing rear shocks!!
I just got done doing mine, not 3 hours ago. They were a total pain in the butt. I used a 1/4" wrench to hold the very top of the shock and then unbolted the nut. When I got that far up I needed to hold the wrench up so I could twist the big nut off. Don't know it that helps but that's what worked for me.