Rear shock removal problem

Hey guys....installing an AAL this weekend on my 2012 SR5 4x4. Decided I would get my shocks off after work tonight to get a jump on things when I wake up tomorrow. I got the driver side shock off with no problem. The problem came on the passenger side.

I got the lower shock mount off with no issue. The top bolt is being a really pain in the ass!!!

I am using a 5mm wrench keep the shaft from spinning. I can't break the damn nut loose. I tried for 20 minutes. I sprayed the hell out of it with WD40 but that did not work to break it loose.

I don't have any pb blaster or liquid wrench but I'm going to go get some this evening and let it soak over night.

Is there something I'm missing. What if none of those things work? What is my next course of action? Cut it off??? I really don't want to have to do that.

I wish I didn't have to hold the shaft from spinning or I could get out the breaker bar...



Also, on another note. I read that the nut on top of the shaft is 17mm...mine is 14mm. Is that normal? Not related to the issue but I was just wondering if I read something wrong or if there was a change.

 

I've had luck unfreezing bolts by heating them and cooling them quickly.

 

Does the stem/shaft accept an allen wrench up top?

What shocks are we talking about here? If its Bilstiens they do.
The allen wrench will go into the top to prevent the shaft from rotating when tightening/loosening the nut.

 

Let the wd40 soak over night and try a breaker bar

 

got a good pair of vice grips. Clamp down on that shaft like a mufuka and she will come loose.


Also 50/50 ATF (automatic transmission fluid) and acetone is probably the best thing to unstick nuts and bolts... right there with aerokroil, which makes PB blaster look like child's play.

 

I've heard of that technique. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. Just used a shartload (technical term) of liquid wrench on it. Gonna spray it one more time before bed, once before breakfast, and then go at it.

 

A lot of good ideas! Yay.....glad I have all weekend lol.

Hoping nothing else is stuck like this PITA.

Thanks guys!

 

I couldn't get the vise grips to hold the shaft when I did mine so ended up grinding a flat on the shaft for the vice grips to hold on to and used a BFB Bar! You might be able to put some flats above where the shock shaft travels and get it loose that way. I wasn't saving the shocks so just ground away and clamped it up.

 

Had the same problem with mine. Didn't waste my time with penetrant, cut them both right off with a 4" angle grinder in a minute no problem. Btw, wd-40 does nothing for rust. As stated above, a 50/50 mix of atf and acetone has been proven to work better than anything on the market for freeing rusted fasteners.

 

Spare tire off so you actually have room to work, 4-inch crescent wrench to hold the shaft, 14mm box wrench for the top nut has worked for me. And when you reinstall, use white grease or antiseize on the threads.

 

Sawzall... Cut through shaft in 15 secs.

 

You could try giving the side of the nut a couple solid hits with a wrench (BFH ) to help it break loose too. Had to do that on one of my leaf spring bolts came off pretty easy like that

 

If you have the bottom off already. Just let it hang there. Why even take it completely off, unless you're going to replace it

 

I am replacing them...I guess I hsould have mentioned that, too.

I'm eating breakfast now so I'm going to tackle this problem soon. Hoping it just comes right off.

However, I suppose I could get the AAL installed and then worry about the shocks later if necessary.

I really appreciate everyone's help. It seems less daunting than it did last night when I was starving and tired. I think my wife heard more about this than she bargained for haha

 

Have the same problem on an 05 with original Bilsteins. Question is, where should I cut it? I suspect the washers may be all seized too. PA truck, sigh. Was thinking of instead of cutting the top nut, cutting the shaft below the mount and just above the lower washer. Bought a sawzall and diablo blade. Thoughts?

 

Years ago when I was changing shocks that had the top of the shock shaft thru rubber bushings and through a mount point I never try to remove the top nut/locking nut. I'd just grab the top of the shaft and rock it back a forth a few times (deep socket+ extension over the end or vise grips)and it breaks right off. Not sure if you can do this with yours.
As the piston rod is hardened it will snap off after a few back and forth bends.

Good luck

 

Cut through the top bushing below the washer, should be a piece of cake with a sawzall. Thats what i did on mine

 

Sawzall

 

regular hacksaw 20 seconds

 

Not 4600's,they dont have an allen wrench stud,you have too use a pair of vice grips