hard bolT on shocks

[lostie]

trying to replace springs on car. CAnt get one bolt off the shock absorder, tried everything. hard as. Any tips?

[Gary]

a bolt from where the strut attaches to the hub?

have you tried penetrant? CRC 5.56 or WD40, or whatever other brands there are do the job nicely

put some arm into it, and if not that, the put some leg into it

[oldcorollas]

rattle gun

start undoing the nut with the cars weight still on the ground (for the shock rod)

[Javal]

rattle gun

start undoing the nut with the cars weight still on the ground (for the shock rod)

Still not a good idea, even if the shock bolt has no load on it. Start and wind it out a few turns by hand. Then rattlegun if you want.

Using a penetrant spray is alot easier than just using brute force.

[oldcorollas]

how do you expect to start to loosen it, if it just spins, and you can't stop the shock rod turning? hopefully not use vice grips

i mean.. use the rattle gun to start to get it loose, and then do by hand..

or you could keep spinning the nut and shock by hand for a while i guess

[Javal]

how do you expect to start to loosen it, if it just spins, and you can't stop the shock rod turning? hopefully not use vice grips

i mean.. use the rattle gun to start to get it loose, and then do by hand..

or you could keep spinning the nut and shock by hand for a while i guess

I meant the bottom bolt.

[dale30]

I meant the bottom bolt.

Rattle gun.!!!!

Thats what the factory uses...Less strain on bolt than using long bar.

[Javal]

Rattle gun.!!!!

Thats what the factory uses...Less strain on bolt than using long bar.

A ) a factory has no reason to remove a shock, you mean the manufacturer (dealerships), and even then it's all down to the mechanic and how much shit he wants to fuck up.
B ) a longbar will potentially provide more force, but smoother application - think of it as having your hand in a press until you cry mercy, or having your hand run over by an 18 wheeler. Rattle guns shock-load, and this strips bolts.

[LeeRoy]

Javal I don't think you've got a clue mate...

It is impossible to just use a 'long bar' to undo it. As soon as you apply any pressure to the nut the piston inside the shock just turns. Keep in mind that most if not all shock bolts are either castellated or nylocks so they grip the thread before even being tight. A rattlegun is often the only way to undo/do up the bolts as they require a quick hit of torque to turn the nut.

I put some shocks in yesterday and without a rattlegun the only was I could do up the nut was to clamp the piston using a cut down radiator hose and some multigrips...and even still the piston was turning inside the hose with me holding it with both hands and the old man on the top with the socket. There is also a flat side on the piston so you can get a spanner on it but 90% of the time it is unreachable due to the upper spring perch &/or strut top being in the way.

ALSO DO NOT USE A RATTLERUN ON ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS. They are not meant to be turned. Another FYI - on the instructions of the shocks I got it said not to use a rattlegun.

Here is a recent thread on this exact question/problem
http://www.toymods.net//forums/showthread.php?t=45854

[Javal]

Javal I don't think you've got a clue mate...

It is impossible to just use a 'long bar' to undo it. As soon as you apply any pressure to the nut the piston inside the shock just turns. Keep in mind that most if not all shock bolts are either castellated or nylocks so they grip the thread before even being tight. A rattlegun is often the only way to undo/do up the bolts as they require a quick hit of torque to turn the nut.

I put some shocks in yesterday and without a rattlegun the only was I could do up the nut was to clamp the piston using a cut down radiator hose and some multigrips...and even still the piston was turning inside the hose with me holding it with both hands and the old man on the top with the socket. There is also a flat side on the piston so you can get a spanner on it but 90% of the time it is unreachable due to the upper spring perch &/or strut top being in the way.

ALSO DO NOT USE A RATTLERUN ON ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS. They are not meant to be turned. Another FYI - on the instructions of the shocks I got it said not to use a rattlegun.

Here is a recent thread on this exact question/problem
http://www.toymods.net//forums/showthread.php?t=45854

I am referring to removal of the Bottom bolt, not the top nut on the piston. I said this already.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

Who ever has trouble removing the bottom bolt?

Top nut usually has nylon to stop it from coming undone. Rattlegun = win.

[lostie]

Yes was top nut,

Allen key was used to hold pistin while circular spanner tried to unlock the bolt. Ended up rounding the allens key. Lots of pentrating spray was used in the process.

Dont own a rattle gun and most garages not opened today.

So yeah stuffed the treads on the rod etc. And will need a new shock absorber.

[Javal]

Who ever has trouble removing the bottom bolt?

Top nut usually has nylon to stop it from coming undone. Rattlegun = win.

They can be quite stubborn on some models. But i do condone use of the rattle gun for the top nut.

[CrUZida]

As OC said.
Undo it with the cars full weight on the ground.

[LeeRoy]

As OC said.
Undo it with the cars full weight on the ground.

Not disputing that having the car on the ground helps but i've found that 90% of the time it hasn't made a difference. Keeping in mind this is the first thing i'd suggest trying as it is the easiest and least likely to damage anything.

The only ways ive had success are;
1. Using a spanner on piston
2. Rattle gun
3. Clamping the piston