Nut stuck on top of shock

Today I decided to install the '22 bilsteins and started with the fronts. I got the driver side done, but on the passenger side when I was turning the nut off at the top of the shock it got to where there was only a tiny bit of the rod to latch onto and the nut bound up. I hit is all day with PB to no avail, still stuck right at the top. When there is nothing to stop the rod then the ntt and rod turn together and that sucks.

Anyone have any ideas of how to get that nut off the shock? Thanks.

I'm using the "drop the lower control arm method" and prefer to do that rather than rent a spring compressor. Although I may have to do that now.

 

Let the weight of the truck hang on the shock, this helps.

If it still wont work, pull the stock boot down and hold the rod with vice grips as close to the top of the shock as possible.

 

Would this tool help? We're talking about the rear shocks, right?

Lisle 20400 Universal Shock Absorber Tool

$14 Lisle 20400 Universal Shock Absorber Tool

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CO88C6

 

Do you mean like when the truck is sitting normally?

 

Oh sorry no it was the fronts thanks for pointing that out I edited my post.

 

I'm assuming that were talking about the center nut that secures the coilover to the hat, and not one of the three that secure the hat to the tower, correct?

How much compression is on the shock? It's still bolted to the LCA with a jack keeping that spring under compression, yes? If not, do that.

 

Yes sorry thought rears, but also yes, let the spring relax and keep rotating, while compressors are holding tension.

 

Heat

 

Just cut it with a sawzall and be done

 

Yes and I tried that and I tried everything else I could think of doing while the wheel was off and the LCA loose. No dice. The nut gets stuck right before there is anything to grasp of the shock rod.

I may have to get through the boot on the shock to get to the rod to grasp with vise wrench, the boots on the Hitachi's can't be slid down. I just tried that on the one I took off.

 

I may have to do that.. Thanks

 

I'm really hesitant to do that because of all the plastic parts that are nearby. Thanks

 

I gotta ask a real stupid question: Are you reusing the old hats, or did the replacement shocks come with new?

 

All new including the rubber bumper thing.

 

Couldnt you undo the 3 nuts holding in the top hat and do it off the truck?

 

I'll try that tomorrow right now I'm beat. Thanks

 

So, why disassemble the coilover? Take the three outer nuts off and toss the whole assembly.

Otherwise, I had to get a wrench on this bit and crank like hell:

 

Because if I do it like this I'll have to take all the brake stuff loose to get the coil-over assy out of the vehicle safely. I am reusing the springs. I did think of taking the three top plate nuts off but wonder if it will then be safe to lower the LCA and decompress the spring without it flying out of there.

 

Torch that s..t

 

nice