Anthony.L
Looking for the end of the road...
Not to self, when taking LC to buddies with lift to install shocks bring along a torch and saw zall just in case! 
Can't seem to remove rear shocks! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cad0411
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Anthony.L
Looking for the end of the road...
So which one of these is the best idea?
Offset ratchet wrench
Flex Head Gear Wrench
I don't mind buying a wrench just for this job, it's worth my sanity. I have a set of gear wrenches already, but they are not the swivel head design (standard flat).
- Thread starter
- #23
It has been a year almost since this post. The best way was to use the pipe wrench. When you re-install use the pipe wrench with a rag around the shock. This will not scratch the shock if you take your time. And don't listen to the BS. I did it myself and it worked fine. Thanks for the advice!
It is worth every penny you are charged to take your LC somewhere and have it done.
unless your friends with the person you're paying to do it, they'll hate you even after you pay...and text you pictures expressing how much they hate your truck.
just remove the 2 bolt mounting bracket thats how we suspension people do it much less headache
really?? it cant be that simple
If it was an 80 that would work great but it not! Read no mounting bracket to remove on US 100 models.
wildsmith
SILVER Star
The 105 might have the removable top mount plate like an 80? For regular 100's a 40mm body lift helps with access
I just did my rear suspension and I found a new trick: Support the rear axle, put a vice grip on the top nut, release the bottom of the shock first and slip a strap-type oil filter wrench on there with a long breaker bar and you can crank that shock as hard as you want. Worked good for me! 
I drilled a hole inside the cabin right on top of the strut and hit it with a craftsman electric impact wrench. It broke off the bolt but it came out in 5 seconds.
If you live in the rust bowl, there is no way this is coming off with a box wrench, it's gotta break off or torqued off with a strong gun.
If you live in the rust bowl, there is no way this is coming off with a box wrench, it's gotta break off or torqued off with a strong gun.
What did not work:
Sockets - the regular is too shallow. The impact Sidchrome is too tall to get there.
Sirchrome box-end wrench - too long to fit at a correct angle.
Sirchrome open end wrench - too short to exert enough force and the extender won't allow it to fit;
Monkey wrench to hold the shock from spinning - the shock's shell is too soft for a proper grip. Besides, it is problemmatic for a one man gang to operate both wrenches.
What worked:
Old as the world technique to hold large force of shock spinning with friction created by multiple turns of a rope.
Shorter box-end wrench with an extender.
UPDATE:
Was trying to undo another shock with another rope and found it too stretchy to break the top nut on the shock. Used 2.5mm wire instead and that made all the difference. I am sure even 2mm wire would do.
I liked the strap tied to the sway bar link. My strong suggestion after putting in my Koni's is do not attempt without gear wrenchs 7/8 for removal 15/16 for Koni raid install. I used an 8mm allen held with an 8mm box and the 15/16 gear wrench for the install. Oh, and drop the spare first.
I’m working on this now, myself. I gave up on trying to ratchet the nut off from the top. I used a reciprocating saw to cut the stem. This left me with a section that couldn’t pass through the retainers. So then used an angle grinder to cut the lower most cushion retainer (new one on order). Pulled out the old cushion in this section and the cut the stem again so that it could pass through the remaining retainer and frame mount. Pulled out the upper section with ease.
These nuts were not going to come off easily
These nuts were not going to come off easily
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