Need help removing OEM front shocks.

[Diggman33]

Hi,
Another adventure in rust country (aka New England)...
Im having some difficulty removing the OEM shocks on my 97 Sport 4x4. I hosed all the bolts down with PB Blaster and I still can't get the retaining nut off the top of the shock mount. I stripped the top area used to hold the shock steady as you tighten/loosen the retaining nut so there's nothing to grab onto (I think). Does anyone know of a way (or better way) to get the front shocks off? Im thinking about using a sawz-all and cutting the bolt free.
Thanks!

 

[shaggsta]

Well,
I'm not the type to disagree with cutting metal with fast moving metal, but have you tried heating it up with a torch, letting it cool (completely) and then get it off? I assume you are using a deep socket and breaker bar. Use a strap wrench (handle with rubber adjustable strap) to hold the shock itself.

 

[Diggman33]

Thanks shaggsta. I haven't tried heat yet - too much PB blaster in the area. Im using a 15mm combo wrench and a pair of vice grips to secure the shock - but as I mentioned the hold teet at the top of the stud is stripped pretty good. I've give the strap wrench idea a shot.

 

[aldive]

I have cut many shocks off using a sawzall.

Good luck ....

 

[Nick_Good]

I had trouble with one on my '93. sprayed it with pb, hit it with a hammer and was still froze. i ended up cutting it off with a grinder. im pretty sure you can get a grinder in on yours to cut it, i had a 98 ranger with the same suspension, (torsion bars) and there was also enough room if need be. cut it off below the top mount and just pull it off.
Nick Good

 

[Diggman33]

Thanks all. Im going to cut them off - what a P.I.T.A. the OEM shocks are to remove when you throw rust in the mix.

 

[DeRocha]

I have replaced over a dozen front shocks (various vehicles) over the years. All but 1 or 2 had to be cut off. I used to use a drill and various bits to split the nut apart, but now I reach for the cut off wheel on my grinder or sawsall. I'm sure everyone already knows this (but incase someone doesn't) don't cut the pressurized cylinder as it could explode..

 

[mechanix]

Torch the nuts off. Works every time.

Best of luck.

 

[DCExplorer]

Torch the nuts off. Works every time.

It can also get you killed. Most mechanics I know would never put a torch anywhere near a gas-pressurized shock. For those people who do need to cut off a shock, I find it easiest to cut through either of the bushings instead of trying to cut through where the nut meets the retainer. Also the metal is normally very soft, I once cold-chiseled right through a rusty nut and stud. I made it about 1/2 way through with a few of whack with a BFH. Then just grabbed the stud with some vise-grips and ripped it off.

[edit]

Oh, I now own a couple of nut splitters that can do the same thing. I just changed my shocks, and I was able to get the nut free using a specialty tool for shocks I've had for a number of years. It looks like a deepwell socket except that is has six sides on the outside instead of being round. You place it over the stud and nut, and then you can use a 13/16" wrench around the outside. This way, you can put a bunch of torque on the nut. You can also put the 13/16" wrench at the same level as the nut. This prevents the tool from rotating off the nut and stirpping it, like a normal deep-well socket is likely to do.

Shock removal tool

 

[mechanix]

To each there own huh?

 

[DCExplorer]

To each there own huh?

I agree, and I didn't mean any disrespect to you. You have done it, it works, and I'm sure it will for years to come (although I doubt you learned it from an Auto Tech manual). That doesn't mean that everyone will be as skilled and carefull as you are. Some people, skilled or not, can also be plague with bad luck from time to time. This is a public forum. Better safe than sorry.

Bad things happen to good people. Near my hometown a man was killed trying something as simple as torching an old rusting 55 gallon barrel in half. It was empty, but it was also sealed with a volatile gas inside. It exploded and riped the guy in half. Oh, and his head fell off also. He apperently made it through several barrels before trying the one that exploded.