Can't get front shock off

[Nigel]

I'm replacing the shocks - standard OEM, nothing special - but I can't get the old ones off on the front. The nut on the very top of the shock is frozen. I've been spraying it with de-freezing stuff for a couple of days but now I can't get a purchase in the flat piece on the top of the shock to get leverage on the frozen nut. I stripped it quite a bit with the mole grips I was using to hold shock steady.

What do you guys use to keep the strut of the shock in place while you unscrew that top bolt?

 

[ad20k]

It's been a while but I think I remember using a pipe wrench on the shock body. Maybe it's worth a try?

Good luck

 

[D'Animal]

It's been a while but I think I remember using a pipe wrench on the shock body. Maybe it's worth a try?

Good luck

The nut holding the shock on is frozen.

 

[Joe_E]

Been there bro.
Here is the shock removal tool I used.
Aim for the top bushing area between the washers and proceed to lop the whole nut and top portion off.

 

[Cruiser804]

Nutcracker at Sears, 20 bucks or so will takle care of it.

 

[Nigel]

Ha ha ha ... thanks Joe_e. Great suggestion. Made me laugh too. Love the practical approach. I had thought about using the sawzall but wasn't sure whether it would damage anything. I'll give it a try during the week.

And, yeah, I tried the pipe wrench, but it wouldn't hold.

 

[REKCUT]

Heat is always your friend in these cases. If you dont cut it off then hit it with a torch and that will help break it free.

 

[Dynosoar]

Grinder time.


Dynosoar

 

[wengejor]

Grinder time.


Dynosoar

x2, I used a grinder with a cut-off wheel then the grinding wheel to finish it off...took like 20 sec.

 

[jvazquez53]

x2, I used a grinder with a cut-off wheel then the grinding wheel to finish it off...took like 20 sec.

X2 on the grinder with a cutting wheel.If you don't have a grinder, a sharp cold chisel an a heavy hammer.

 

[PhilC64]

Heck I went with my trusty Sawzall and it made it light work. Besides, blades on a Sawzall bend unlike a brittle cut-off disk on an angle grinder.

 

[lehiguy]

Heck I went with my trusty Sawzall and it made it light work. Besides, blades on a Sawzall bend unlike a brittle cut-off disk on an angle grinder.

Having misused and abused every tool in the shed, I'll take the grinder with a cut off wheel over anything else. Once you get anything that has beed hardened even a little, the sawsall is useless.

 

[PhilC64]

I've cut through my shocks, spring pins and countless other hardened materials with a decent blade in the sawzall. Heck I've even take down a house with one.

 

[eric2381]

I fought with mine for a bit, then used the grinder and cut the nut off. Easy peasy. Good luck, Eric

 

[ntsqd]

If I don't care about the shock I just put a big set of Vice-Grips on the shock shaft TIGHT and then turn the nut. It'll come loose. Sometimes I have to break out the 1/2" drive stuff, but I've yet to have one that didn't come loose with that approach.
Granted, I don't live in the rust belt either but this coastal desert is surprisingly corrosive.