antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

If you unbolt the bottom of the rear shock, and remove the center nut at the top, shouldn't the shock come out of the car? From looking at the FSM, it looks like you don't have to remove the top mount to remove the shock. Is this true?

Mine seem to be stuck. And I can't remove the mount becuase one of the studs on the mount is spinning inside its hole, so I can't remove the nut. I'm afraid I am very screwed.

I want to get the shock out so I can cut the rubber away from the underside of the mount and hold the bottom of the stud with some vise grips.

thoughts?

-James

rotory4life

Disconnect the rear sway bar... and push down on the hub to take out the suspension...

Sandro

iTrader: (1)

You could in theory "disassemble" the shock from the mount while still on the car if you were able to compress the spring and - then - unscrew the center nut. But I doubt there is enough room around the mounted shock to tuck and operate spring compressors, then remove the whole assembly with the spring compressor attached to the spring. In the end, the easiest way may be to just to grind out and remove the broken mount nut. If the lug is or get damaged in the process, tap it if it works or just by a new mount.

Good luck.

- Sandro

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

Thanks guys.

The confusing thing is:

-The car is on stands.
-I've already removed the center top nut with the shocks still in the car.
-The bottom of the shock is unbolted.
-The shock is not falling out of the mount.

This is on a car that has been sitting for a long long long long time. I think maybe the shocks are siezed up and that is why the spring can't push the shock away from the mount. But I still can't understand why the shock shaft is stuck inside the mount, if the center nut has been removed.

-James

BigIslandSevens

iTrader: (4)

Who cares why it is stuck. Put the center nut back on before it does release and come flying out into your face!!!. Not kidding. This is the most dangerous and dumb way to take a shock off a car. Please put the nut BACK ON and take the entire assembly with the mount out as one unit. Otherwise you may not be posting much longer.( due to shocks exploding in your face)

Not trying to be a dick. trying to prevent severe injury to you. That shock/spring is under alot of pressure!!

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

I took the center nut off becuase one of the studs on the mount is spinning around in it's hole, so I can't get the nut off of that stud or remove the shock with the mount on it. I don't own any tools that would allow me to cut the nut off. I guess I have to buy something.

Sandro

iTrader: (1)

Because the spring pushes against the top shock mount. But again, don't do that without a spring compressor (which I doubt will fit in the wheel well). Otherwise, if you remove the bottom bolt (the one which connect the bottom of the shock to the suspension arm), you may not have enough clearance to remove the shock and then you would be stuck. Again, the only viable choice would be to grind out the nut kof the mount you can't remove. Make sure to put back the center nut first to keep the spring pre-compressed while then removing the shock.

- Sandro

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

Maybe you guys forgot about this, or maybe I wasn't being clear.

I've cut off the offending stud I was talking about, and have realized that there are 2 center top nuts. One holds the shock together, and then there is a rubber cushion thingy, and then another nut on top of that. The center nut that I had removed was the top one. So I was not in danger.

I wasn't able to discover this while the shock was on the car becuase the messed up stud was keeping the shock tower brace brackets on, and those were preventing the removal of the rubber cushion thingy. So I couldn't have gotten to the nut that holds the shock together even if I had wanted to.

All is well now.

I just have to cut another stud off on the other side of the car, because coincidentally one stud on each side decided to spin inside its hole. Yay.

thanks,
James

dhays

iTrader: (1)

have you priced the top shock mount/rubber/assembly things yet? I'm debating replacing mine or not. Now that they are out of the car, they don't look too bad, but the interior orange rubber is starting to come apart.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

You'll have to grind away the stud until you remove all the threads above the nut.

I had that happen with the nut on the shock rod. Not much fun.

Dave

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

I was able to cut the nut and stud off of the mount on both sides and remove the shocks. Now I have to price new mounts. I needed them anyways.

dhays

iTrader: (1)

$62.50 front
$51.60 rear

Malloy Mazda. I just ordered a set from Ray today.