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removing the top nut?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Zombie Runner, Mar 9, 2009.

  1. Mar 9, 2009 at 3:37 PM
    #1
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    I got my bilsteins in today and i started to install the rear ones but i can tighten or loosen the top nut without the top part of the shock spinning! WTF?
    A little help here please. is there a simple trick that I'm missing?
     
  2. Mar 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Sjould be able to stick an allen wrench, or an adjustable wrench on the top of the shaft to hold it from spinning
     
  3. Mar 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM
    #3
    TacoCo

    TacoCo Aspiring wrench monkey

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    dude, don't take off the top nut without a spring compressor
     
  4. Mar 9, 2009 at 3:39 PM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Dont be trying to remove that center nut without the springs compressed.
     
  5. Mar 9, 2009 at 3:42 PM
    #5
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    the rear shock.....sorry i didnt mention it the first time
     
  6. Mar 9, 2009 at 4:01 PM
    #6
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Rear shock should have a little hole in the top of the shaft to fit, I belive a 4mm hex head.
     
  7. Mar 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
    #7
    Pat

    Pat Well-Known Member

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    I just took off the blue cover, got a par of locktight grips and locked them onto the shaft of the shock and was then able to un-do the top nut.
     
  8. Mar 9, 2009 at 4:15 PM
    #8
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    But if you do this, you risk damageing the shock shaft. If the wrench digs into the shaft, it will no longer seal propperly, and will leak.
     
  9. Mar 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM
    #9
    06Bluez

    06Bluez Well-Known Member

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    I had the same problem with my rear shocks! It was extremely annoying, I think I used an allen wrench on the top and some vise grips.
     
  10. Mar 9, 2009 at 5:14 PM
    #10
    The_Hodge

    The_Hodge Volunteer Moderator

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    Seeing the third gen section forced me to get a Ford...
    take an open ended wrench and use it to hold the top of the shaft above the threads that sticks out the top plate...wont booger the end or the shaft. by time u get ot to where the nut is hitting the wrench, u can get it off w/ ur fingers
     
  11. Mar 9, 2009 at 5:38 PM
    #11
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    There are 2 different types of shock shafts. Both are very easy to remove the top nu toff off.
    First one has a hex hole in the top. They typically take a 5mm hex wrench, and useing a 17mm open wrench, you can remove the top nut.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The other has 2 flat sides so an open wrench can be used to hold it from turning. Typically an 8mm open wrench:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    No need to grip the shock shaft with pliers, or whatever. :)
     
    Silversoundtaco and xxTacocaTxx like this.
  12. Mar 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
    #12
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    awsome, thanks for your help chris!
     
  13. Mar 9, 2009 at 5:50 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Anytime, Buddy. :)
     
  14. Mar 10, 2009 at 12:10 AM
    #14
    Mudbug

    Mudbug Well-Known Member

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    Unless you are unlucky like me and the flat piece on top snaps off :eek: ...yeah vise grips on the shaft and it was off. I didn't care about the shaft since it was taking the old one off. The new bilsteins had a spot for an allen key so they went on without the same hassle.
     
  15. Mar 10, 2009 at 12:23 AM
    #15
    neslerrah

    neslerrah Taco lovin'

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    Props to Chris.
     
  16. Mar 10, 2009 at 5:54 AM
    #16
    ccs368

    ccs368 Well-Known Member

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    Also, I sprayed a lot of penetrating oil into the nut to try to break away every bit of corrosion that has accumulated between the threads of the shaft and the threads of the nut for easier removal.
     
  17. Mar 10, 2009 at 6:50 AM
    #17
    Pat

    Pat Well-Known Member

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    Yeah thats was my only worry but I was putting new shocks on anyways so I didn't really need to keep the stock shocks in good condition.

    On the other hand, your ways of taking it off are much better!! chris4x4 ftw.
     
  18. Mar 10, 2009 at 6:56 AM
    #18
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

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    Whew....I thought this was going to be a thread about removing tcBob.:eek:
     
  19. Mar 10, 2009 at 7:08 AM
    #19
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Does he have a provision for a wrench to be paced on his head? :confused:
     
  20. Mar 13, 2009 at 10:15 AM
    #20
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner [OP] Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    lol
     

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