Trouble removing shocks
I am having a little trouble removing the shock absorbers.
The original shock had snapped, just leaving the top section attached and the lower part of the shock attached.
I suspect these are the original shocks (over 20 years old). The top section would not budge at all, so I have had to cut the bolt off. However the rubber has attached itself either side of the braket and will not budge, it is as hard as steel. I have soaked in WD40 but this has made no difference. Has anyone had this problem before?
There is not a lot of room above the bolt to get a hammer in, so the only thing I can think of is heating the rubber to see if this will realease it. However as this is near the fuel lines I am not too keen to try this.
The bottom bolts are solid too, and I do not fully trust the axel stands to try and loosen, as I have to lie underneath the get sufficient purchase. I am just going to cut these off. Does anyone know the size of bolts used?
Thanks
Hello Bolloti,
I am deducing it is your rear shockers’ (s/absorber), you are trying to change. My advice to you is to jack the rear of the body and put your axle stands under the chassis, in line of the rear door. It is better if can use commercial stands which are bigger in construction.
Support the axle with your jack close, to the side you are changing the s/absorber. By that arrangement you can adjust the height of the axle to match the s/absorber bolt as necessary.
To tackle your top bolt, which is sawn off, you could try to use a long chisel to try and chisel in between the top rubber and the separator bracket. Should this method fail. Then, cut off the s/abosber body/cover. This will expose the piston rod, with a tight setting of a large pair of vise grips, attach the vise grips to the rod, with a hammer hit on the vise grips, in the hope it will give you purchase to beat the rod free from the bracket and seized rubber.
This is not going to be easy. For the bottom bolt, try and use a hexagonal socket rather than a 12 point one. A long extension bar to break the tightness of the bolt should work to undo the bolt. You should be able to get a new nut for the top end in, with the new s/absorber, particularly if it is an after market s/absorber.
Good Luck.
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Thanks for the tips.
My axel stands at full height are not to be trusted, so I think I may need to invest in some commercial ones.
The original shock snapped just at the rubber underneath the bracket, so there is nothing to grip onto to, and the rubber is rock hard.
I think I will just need to chisel, drill from underneath to try and get a grip with some moleys. However everything feels stuck solid, so not a job I'm looking forward to.