ZForce1

Hi guys,

I am changing my shocks on my '99 Z28. The rears are done. The fronts, the spindle arm is off and I compressed the springs with spring compressors. For the life of me I cannot get the big rubber mount on the top off (the one with two studs - drivers side). I have the how to write up available on this site. The nut was rusted on VERY bad. Got it off with an impact gun. Anyone have this happen to them? With the nut off, I loosened the spring compressors thinking things would just come apart as if I was changing the springs as well (I am retaining the stock springs). That did no good. Any ideas?

ZForce1

So, it looks like the front upper shock mount is fused to the shock. Anyone had to cut off the upper shock mount? Where is the best place to cut for things to come apart?

babbage1109

iTrader: (11)

Compress the spring and cut the shaft. Or just order new upper mounts

ZForce1

I got it. I did as mentioned above - cut the shock shaft. I had to get it apart because I am reusing the stock springs. Yes, the upper shock mount is done. I guess I was expecting rust, and difficulty with the nut (which was not much of a problem), but not the mount to be completely seized like that. Oh well. Live and learn. Thanks.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

common problem that the nut rusts.......welcome to the club

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

Ive got a driver's side upper mount with dogbone in excellent shape I'll ship for $60

spy2520

iTrader: (3)

another way is with the nut off use an air chisel to pretty much destroy the rubber around the sleeve in the mount, since you're only reusing the spring.

ZForce1

Yep, I've come to find out that this is indeed a very common problem. The nut came off without too much difficulty, though - the mount was seized to the shock, so I had to cut the shock. The other side came apart easily, which I was ecstatic to have happen. It's all done now. Installed SLP Bilsteins - big difference as everyone says. It's a good thing I did this, because I found the sway bar link on the right side - the nut was very loose - 1 1/2 inches up on the bolt so the sway bar was flopping around not doing anything.