Lower rear shock bolt extraction

Was doing a suspension upgrade and ran into an issue where this damn lower rear shock bolt is sticker than crap. Was able to get the nut off, but can't for the life of me get the bolt out. It seems to be ultra tight in the bushing and there's no leverage or way to tap it out. Already had to cut the (no longer) U bolts off .

Anyone got any suggestions? Otherwise looks like I'll be removing the dust cover and hub so I can get a clear line of sight to tap it out.

 

Might get lucky and back it out with a ratchet on the bolt head. Otherwise its hammer time. Get a prybar in there too

Personally I wouldn't get into pulling the rear backing plate off just for this.

 

Sadly I've tried, but there's just no good way to get leverage in there. Tried backing the bolt while attempting to pry, but the threads aren't engaging within the bushing. Driving me nuts though! Even tried cutting the bushing but not easy to get in there. Maybe heat to soften the bushing? The old shocks are trash so I'm not worried about messing them up

 

Can you get a rod in there (eg long socket extension, 2x4, etc) and then hit the rod with a hammer?

 

If it spins easily then it isn't that stuck. Get some lube in there, try to support the shock so it doesnt bind the bolt, back the bolt out with an impact, and pry on the other side. A helper will make this much easier

 

You might be able to use a C-clamp... Put oversized socket (just larger than the bolt head flange) over the bolt head. Press the bolt towards the socket to free it up in the bushing.

 

5 & 6

Heat, lube, hammer, impact gun, repeat.

Rent a bushing press from local auto parts store, look like big c clamp, push it out, pry it..

 

I did try a c clamp alone, but not with the sockets. Issue I had was no good angle but the sockets may fix that. Thanks man!

All good ideas here. I appreciate it guys

 

Got a puller? Push it out.

 

Guess who got the bolt out! Apparently it fused with the sleeve in the shock bushing. Can't be stuck if it's in a zillion tiny pieces!

 

Wow, that was fused!! How in the world did all this corrosion build up?

 

Unsure, I was the second owner and the previous owner did the fox 2.0's. I guess I'll blame it on 60k miles

 

You must live in the rust belt. Or, someone has launched boats in seawater using the truck. Good one though, mission accomplished.

 

Update... Bilstein 8100 dsa and 8112 dsa+ install completed with new rear leaf pack. $6k in parts later... Just need an alignment now and I'll be able to report back with some further comments

 

Looking forward to your report. Especially how it feels hitting minor bumps & cracks in road, bottle caps, small stuff like that.

 

Took it around the block after I finished install before alignment and was getting a super annoying clunking over small bumps only on driver's side. Took a bunch of shit apart and re checked torque settings. Added a rubber grommet behind the front reservoir mounts, and moved the also newly installed sliders down a tad. I think the sound was the driver's side slider. I was almost at the point of adding the old driver shock back in to troubleshoot. I would have been pissed lmao.

Edit: but holy shit was it smooth!

 

Reminds me - I need to put up my 8100 DSA shocks up for sale. What rear springs did you install, or did I miss it?

 

Tell me you installed the new lower shock bolts the other direction!

 

Yep, installed uca with bolt head to the rear in case I ever need to get them out again. Official Toyota service manual recommends cutting them and reversing direction, not bending the body weld to remove. ☺️ Luckily I have a Toyota service tech buddy that got the bolts same day for $12 a piece vs $35.

Rear leaf I went with the icon 2.5-3 with addable/swapable leaf

 

When your torque wrench costs more than the shocks