Rear shock removal problem

Thanks all for the input, much appreciated. BTW

$84 Bilstein (24-186056) 46mm Monotube Shock Absorber

Amazon had the factory Bilsteins open box for $25 yesterday. If you need some, set an Amazon alert.

 

I had to cut mine off as well. not worth the time fucking with them.

 

This works too.

 

Quick update for future readers.
1. Everything can be done on the ground with tire on.
2. Sawzalls are magical. Strong recommend. Anyone who posted the word sawzall before this post gets a beer on me if you come to Charlotte NC. PM me.
3. Be careful to separate what your reusing and whats garbage. One 17mm nut made it to the trash, which led to some interesting conversation that morning. Diving.
4.The hardest part is getting the shock to seat with the bushings, so you can get the bolt in. Literally took 25 mins. Advice: use screwdriver, hammer, and a punch set to help. When its VERY close, and you can only the the bolt half way, use a wrecking bar or crow bar. (see pic)
5. Use a small block of wood (eg 4 inches of a 2x4) to push down on the shock from the top and line it up to the top mount, after being secured on the bottom. Helps considerably when compressing a new shock. Push slowly with your weight and it will move.


Old and busted...new hotness. Thanks all.

 

Holy rust. Glad I don't have to deal with that crap.

 

Yeah man. PA truck. I wasnt $hittin ya. New Toyota frame and a home in NC now tho. Next time will be alot easier.

 

Sorry everyone to revive an old thread from its grave. I have the same problem with not being able to get the top bolt off. I stripped the top of the shaft to the point where I can no longer get vise grips or anything to grab.

Just so I don't mess anything up. From what I understand is to cut below the nut and the metal washer, or should I cut below the washer and between the rubber bushing?

 

@Kage17 Cut through the top bushing below the washer. As long as you dont cut the frame mounting point itll be good.

 

Weird no one has mentioned it... I've always used a pipe wrench to keep the shock's shaft from spinning, holds a hellofalot better than vice grips. Forewarning: it will damage the shaft.

 

The shock shaft is hardened - so I just put a vise grips on the end and force it back and forth until it breaks .. done.

 

Exactly what I needed to know. I am replacing the whole assembly so I am not worried about damage. (Obviously, since I talked about cutting it)

What would be the easier, cutting it with a sawzall or breaking it with a pipe wrench? @Benny123 @Canufixit @LAMCKMA007

 

I just replaced my rear shocks last week. I used an adjustable wrench instead of vice grips since it’s flat surface prevents teeth from stripping that nut. It worked like a charm. Just my experience cause I kept reading about people using vice grips and failing

 

IT's approaching file hard so you probably would ruin many blades "if" it cuts. Just snap it off. Then Tell us how easy that was compared to trying to get the nut off!

 

I've never had to cut one off as I don't live in an area where rust is a problem. I've always used a pipe wrench to hold anything round that I don't care about damaging. They make some awesome blades for sawzalls, I've just never used one to cut a shock off.

 

Got OEM shocks on Ebay for $100 - bottom bolt was easy top cut with Sawzall - but be careful you need to reuse the washer to hold the rubber grommet - new nuts come with shocks but not the rubber or washer. If you don't want to be careful or are worried the rubber may be bad buy them with the shocks but it's extra $$. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks everyone for thoughts and opinions. I wont have time to do this until after the 15th. Wish me luck!

 

I ended up cutting mine off.

 

When I did mine a few years back, I couldn't get vise grips to bite on the shaft because it was too hard.
Grind flats on the shaft, or break it off at the top.
If you're going to use a sawzall, you'd better have some good blades.

 

There's very little, including hardened steel, that puts up any kind of fight to a 4" cutting wheel. I've changed out 6 pairs of 2nd gen rear shocks now and if the shocks are going in the garbage, I don't even bother trying to break the nut free.