shock removal,PITA!!

Styyy

Adventurer
Replacing the factory shocks on my 95 SR and the shaft keeps turning with the top bolt. So I decide to get the cutting wheel out and proceede to cut through the factory wiring harness that runs down the chassis:wings:! Cut through half the wires,still probablly 8-10 wires. Still didnt get the shock out. Any tricks advice before I break out the sawzall and do more damage?:Wow1:
thanks
 

jeep-N-montero

Expedition Leader
Most of us put vice grips around the shaft and a bit of PB Blaster or ATF on the nut, it's common sense really. And some shocks even have a flat portion just above the nut where you can put a small wrench on to hold the shaft in place while turning the nut.
 

Toasty

Looking for that thing i just had in my hand...
Yup, put a 8mm on the top of the stud and then break the jamb nut and top nut loose. From there it just goes, You're in an area of rust so these rules may not apply to you.
 

JamesW

Adventurer
I use a filter wrench (chain type) on the shield of the shock and it does a good job,never fails to get the nut off then,once it has turned so far it wedges against the chassis,and you can use a big breaker bar over the end of a spanner to get the nut off
 

Styyy

Adventurer
Ok I do have common sense,its been sprayed 3 days in a row with PB blaster. The electronic motor on top came off easily(2 x 8mm bolts) then the next nut,17mm I believe ,holds the bracket for the motor cam off relatively easily,then the 17mm nut on top of the shaft wont budge the shaft just spins. I like the idea of the oil filter wrench,Ill give that a shop tomorrow. New bilsteins arrived today.
 

Styyy

Adventurer
OEM's were too expensive,got a set of Bilsteins.

Ok I do have common sense,its been sprayed 3 days in a row with PB blaster. The electronic motor on top came off easily(2 x 8mm bolts) then the next nut,17mm I believe ,holds the bracket for the motor cam off relatively easily,then the 17mm nut on top of the shaft wont budge the shaft just spins. I like the idea of the oil filter wrench,Ill give that a shop tomorrow. New bilsteins arrived today.
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
Oh, ok. I'm gonna source the cheapest set of the OEM adjustables and use them. I figure for lasting 300k+ miles they're worth the extra cost.
 

Styyy

Adventurer
let me know what you find. Just finished installing the drivers rear shock. The nut was rusted on,I ended up using a pipe wrench to grab the collar on top of the shock and it stopped the shaft from spinning. Needed 2 hands on the 36" ratchet all the way till the nut finally came off.
 

Styyy

Adventurer
Oh, ok. I'm gonna source the cheapest set of the OEM adjustables and use them. I figure for lasting 300k+ miles they're worth the extra cost.

I wanted to keep the ability to adjust the suspension from inside the cabin,but the OEM's were too $$. The bilsteins have a LIFETIME warranty,I dont believe the OEM KYB adjustables do.
 

off-roader

Expedition Leader
I wanted to keep the ability to adjust the suspension from inside the cabin,but the OEM's were too $$. The bilsteins have a LIFETIME warranty,I dont believe the OEM KYB adjustables do.
OEM's don't but if they last another 300k or heck say 200k who cares... You know what I mean?
 

Styyy

Adventurer
I ordered a set for $325 and then cancelled them because I found them cheaper for $280. They confirmed the cancellation but sent them out anyway,but were ice enough to match the price. Now I have 2 sets.
 

Styyy

Adventurer
all done,had to use the cutting wheel for 3 of the 4 shocks,Ill put the headliner and interior trim back tomorrow and take her for a shake down
 

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