Can't get my lower shock bolts out??!!

I am putting in some ICONS and have the tops unbolted, have the bottom free but, the bolts won't come out at all!!

I have hammered on it pretty good!

What next?

 

Yeah...both sides on jack stands, wheels off. I have the nut off, but can push the bolt out.

 

Yeah, full droop. I am trying to think how to take pressure off??

 

Put the nut on and use a hammer to get the bolt started. Sounds like it may just be frozen or rusted in. You could spray it frist with WD40 or a loosing oil.

 

If the top of the coil assembly is loose there should not be any pressure other than the weight of the spring and shock assembly

 

If there is pressure loosen the four lower ball joint bolts, you should not need to take them out just loosen.

 

x2

 

On my one side I have hit it so much the lower shock mount is starting to bend out!!

Maybe I will let it soak with PB for a while, but, I can't imagine how much that would do versus beating the hell out of it with a hammer??

I have used a spreader to take all the pressure off where the upper is completely free of the upper shock mount.

 

Either use a punch and a hammer to get it out, ir cut it and buy a new bolt. Either grade 8 or 10 is sufficient for shear strength.

 

I would try to loosen the bolt from the other side, if it is frozen if you can break the other side loose you could get it out, if not have one person loosen the head and another person hit it out.

 

A pry bar pushing the LCA down "taking pressure off the shock" is the best way.

 

Just so I understand what you are doing. Are you trying to remove the coil spring and shock as an assembly? This would be the normal way, and the three top nuts for the coil are off? Or are you just trying to remove the shock leaving the coil spring attached at the top mount? If just removing the shock you may very well have pressure on the lower control arm and you will need to remove the 4 bolts at the bottom of the lower ball joint to drop the lower control arm.

 

Lose the sway bar, that will give you more room

 

Yes I forget about it. Good call.

 

Make sure that you have another lower bolt. this one is stripped already. Don't do the same on the other side, just free the sway bar, I think they are 6mm hex bolt.

 

Removing everything as an assembly, 3 bolts on top, and have the nut off the bottom.

Upper sway bar link is unbolted...

And I have completely taken the pressure off the suspension where the top is completely free of the upper shock mount.

 

hit the bolt with a screw driver and a hammer. do you have a pic?

 

Just put my new foxes on the truck 2 weeks ago. Maybe the pressure is coming from the weight if the shock and coil assembly. Try lifting the assembly a little as you pull the bolt out. Oh and WD40 sounds like a good idea also.