rear shocks

[crispy]

any tips for getting these off? we have got to do it tommorrow and im a bit worried that the bolts that secure the top to the car may shear off as there a bit rusty? the bolts fasten into a fixed nut, so if they broke off, what the hell would we do then?

 

[Rob]

Tonight/today - spray the top mount bolts with a shedload of WD40, and bottom ones too. If they look really bad + rusty, get a blowtorch + scorch them for a bit too

Rear shocks are dear easy to swap - one bolt at top, one bolt at bottom. And have a rubber hammer handy for smashing them out from the bottom

 

[Niffer022]

you dont need a rubber hammer if you just let the rear beam drop


to get top nut off i use a spanner for the big nut and use a pair of mole grips to hold the flat bit at the top and pop it loose....

 

[SimonP]

Does it matter if the top bolts sheer off? If you're replacing the shocks, then it doesn't really make any difference.

 

[Neve'o]

do one side at a time.

 

[Rob]

Many hands make light work.
Then again... too many cooks spoil the broth.

 

[crispy]

on the van, the bolt runs horizontal through the top of the shocker and into a captive nut. is the head shears im gonna be left with the bolt stil in the captive nut, which has no access, and still stuck through the top of the shock, meaning i cant get it off! ive sprayed a load of lt8 ( penetrating spray) last night, so fingers crossed it should come off ok.

 

[crispy]

yeh success, iver managed to get both off with no probs! just gotta sort the brake lines out now and im back on the road ( minus wheels lol)