Shock Removal Tool

[pugsy]

Is there a special tool required to remove shocks that have a mounting post on the top conneceted to the piston rod? I've tried removing a shock on my other truck and with the rusty bolt on top, wondering how to hold the shock so the piston rod doesn't spin.

 

[DCExplorer]

Is this what you are looking for

Shock Tool

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Um the top is a 9/16th's deep socket and to hold the bottom use a pair of channel locks. Put the channel locks on the shaft as close to the bottom washer as possible!

 

[Maniak]

I don't have to worry about real rust (I'm in Southern Az), but when I removed the factory shocks (years ago) I did have to hold the rod still using vice grips (I grapped the flat spot on the top of stud). I then used a gear wrench to pull off the nut.

Since then, I haven't had a nut rust or get stuck on the shock.

~Mark

 

[pugsy]

Yep...that tool would of come in handy on the weekend. I've already rounded off the post with a pair of vice grips. How do you recommend I get it off now? There's not much clearance to cut the bolt, I couldn't get a sawzall in there.
Advice???

 

[cgriffin_5139]

4" grinder w/cut off wheel

 

[pugsy]

Note sure a grinder will fit in there on top of the a-arm. It's a Dakota 2wd with a upper and lower control arm setup with the shock inside of the coil spring!

 

[DCExplorer]

Note sure a grinder will fit in there on top of the a-arm. It's a Dakota 2wd with a upper and lower control arm setup with the shock inside of the coil spring!

Nut splitter
Cold chisel
Small hacksaw

 

[glfredrick]

Most of the places that replace shocks just stick on a long socket, with a long extension and snap the top right off. Couple of pulls back and forth on the extension and it comes right off.

 

[pugsy]

Anyone know where I can get one of those shock tools in Canada without ordering off the net? Tried my local parts stores they haven't heard of any such tools.

 

[greyboxer]

Anyone know where I can get one of those shock tools in Canada without ordering off the net? Tried my local parts stores they haven't heard of any such tools.

I don't know what you have out east but I expect it's the same as here on the prairies. I usually luck out at Partsource, the more useful cousin of Canadian Tire. They usually have either exactly what I'm looking for or at least something close enough that I can make it work. Either that or Acklands and Princess Auto are pretty good for specialty tools.

 

[pugsy]

Been to both Partssource and Cdn. tire and they haven't heard of one.
I'll try Pincess Auto maybe.

 

[glfredrick]

Any tool trucks in your neck of the woods? Snap On, Mac, Matco, or even Sears all have them...

 

[pugsy]

Checked Princess Auto, nothing. Sears doesn't have an automotive section anymore. Going to try a local NAPA store next to see if they can import one.
Any other ideas?

 

[Calvynandhobbs]

I would just stick a long socket over the top and use it to pry the top back and forth until you break it off. That's what I did on a set of shocks that I rounded off and couldn't get anything in there to cut them.

Roger

 

[glfredrick]

You can order direct from Snap On's web site. They ship, and if you had ordered the tool the first day you posted, you would already have it.

Here is the page...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=1632&store=snapon-store

Be aware that there are THREE different sizes. Make sure that you order the correct one.

Also be aware that the sockets don't really work all that well in the long run. Generally the shock stud is soft enough so that it rounds off first, especially if it is somewhat rusted, as I expect in your climate. If you have already fubar'd the shaft, the tools won't work for you anyway...

Yep...that tool would of come in handy on the weekend. I've already rounded off the post with a pair of vice grips. How do you recommend I get it off now? There's not much clearance to cut the bolt, I couldn't get a sawzall in there.
Advice???

Just grab the shaft with a vise grips and twist the bolt head off.

Alternatively, use an air impact and spin the nut fast enough so that it comes off -- works for me, and in fact, the last set of shocks I pulled that way spun the entire shaft out of the shock body...

Alternatively, do you have a friend with a torch? Just burn off the top of the stud. Won't hurt the A-arm a bit, but the rubber bushing might catch fire (will catch fire!). Have a wet rag handy to put it out.

 

[DCExplorer]

Alternatively, do you have a friend with a torch? Just burn off the top of the stud. Won't hurt the A-arm a bit, but the rubber bushing might catch fire (will catch fire!). Have a wet rag handy to put it out.

This may be one for MythBusters, but I've been told you should avoid torching gas-charged shocks because of the risk of it exploding.

 

[glfredrick]

This may be one for MythBusters, but I've been told you should avoid torching gas-charged shocks because of the risk of it exploding.

It stands to reason that if you heat up anyting in an enclosed case, it will likely explode.

But, with that being said, nipping off the top of the stud, with the a-arm between it and the shock body will likely not do anything so drastic as exploding a shock.

FWIW, I've cut a number of shock absorbers in half (through the body) with a torch... The torch will light the oil on fire (expected) but it cuts through the thin sheetmetal body so fast that there is no time to build up pressure for an explosion. The gas inside the shocks is nitrogen, which is inert, and non-flamable. No worries...

 

[DCExplorer]

The gas inside the shocks is nitrogen, which is inert, and non-flamable. No worries...

O.K. However, in terms of possible pressure buildup from the heat, a typical gas-charged shock is charged to like 100-150 psi even at room temperture. Some mono-tubes are charged to nearly 400 psi. Of course not all shocks are gas-charged, so many aren't under any pressure at all. Even so, I don't have any knowledge of a shock causing anyone any injuries, and I don't know if you could get one to blow up even if you tried to. Anyone want to give it a try? Take pictures.

 

[glfredrick]

O.K. However, in terms of possible pressure buildup from the heat, a typical gas-charged shock is charged to like 100-150 psi even at room temperture. Some mono-tubes are charged to nearly 400 psi. Of course not all shocks are gas-charged, so many aren't under any pressure at all. Even so, I don't have any knowledge of a shock causing anyone any injuries, and I don't know if you could get one to blow up even if you tried to. Anyone want to give it a try? Take pictures.

Ever watched a desert racer? Or felt your own shocks after a fast fire-lane run?

I promise that they get hotter doing that sort of thing than they will get using a torch to nip off the top of the stud...

I've seen old-school desert racers (before all the King-style coil-over shocks with resevoirs) glow RED during night races.

I still say, no worries...

Of course, you don't want to be cooking everything under the hood. Just nip off the top of the stud and get with the program. If you cannot use a torch at that level, then don't use one. They do take some skilz.