Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

i need some help guys..
im doing the front shock/spring swap,but now i have this problem.
the nut on top of the shock is very rusted, any advice or help on how to take it off?/
thanks alot..heres a pic..so u guys can see how messed up it is

stroked383HSR

iTrader: (12)

they are all like that.....i just went thru the same thing. Your going to have to take it somewhere that has "air" tools unless you do. They can tap there socket on there and zip that bitch right off!


atleast mine came off like that.

then clean that **** up before you put it back together.


COMPRESS THAT SPRING BEFORE YOU TAKE IT UP THERE.........that way they really shouldnt charge you anything cause it will take them all of 2 mins

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

thanks..

i went to one of the shops around here but they said nothing will work unless they torch it, but that will burn the rubber around it..

also they hit the top of it, now its messed up.. so the only way will cutting it, but they did not want to do that,,,
any ideas?

GM wants so much money for this parts..

stroked383HSR

iTrader: (12)

some shops have a special deep well socket they can hammer on there and with the air tool it will come right off.
Yeah you dont want to heat around that cause it will melt that rubber.

another idea if you end up mangling that nut all to hell and nothing will remove it is, once you have compressed the spring enough i think you can cut with like a sawsall just below the top plate but it will tear your boot all up too.

just a thought

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

thanks alot man...
ill go to another shop tomorrow and see if they can take it off with the air tool or cut it off.
another thing...
i was also thinking on buying this parts put them on the new shock/spring.
where can i buy them?
i went to the dealership but they want to much

stroked383HSR

iTrader: (12)

now that...i have no idea. Maybe someone else will know.

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

lol thanks man..

hopefully tomorrow i can get this done..will post pics

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

Even if you get the nut off, the shock's shaft is still rusted to the upper mount...may as well purchase new uppers

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

i was thinking on that, but i dont know where to buy them..
but not at the GM dealer
if someone here sales them let me know pls

stroked383HSR

iTrader: (12)

my upper was not rusted at all.......the upper popped right off and my nuts looked just like what you got but if you can find the uppers cheap then yeah why not if you can swing the money.......you still gotta get get the thing apart to use your bottom perch unless you plan on buying that too.

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

i was planning on buy both of them for both sides,
im triying to buy them used to get them cheaper, and keep this one in case i sell the car in the future..
just dont know where to look for them

mrkcogar

I think this is it auto parts warehouse $31.52 ea. I hope the link works. If not just google it.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...e&apwidEO8273k

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

thank you so much man..
price is great comparing to the GM prices...
now i have to get the bottom piece...

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

ok, i know it sounds dumb.. but i need this done by tomorrow

if i cut the shock in half would this thing come off? or wont do anything?

SS DNA

iTrader: (7)

Dude put some PB blaster or WD 40 on it and let it sit for like an Hour. Just make sure you put alot so the whole nut is covered in fluid.

Then just use a socket and try to take it off. If not, I used a drill and drilled the nut off. It took like 30 mins per side to drill though..... I did this at like 11pm at night and needed the car done for the morning

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

thanks bro..
ill try that in the morning,, im gonna let it sit all nite hopefully works out

MidknyteRacer

Haha, I just did my spring/shock upgrade and came across this same problem! My passenger side was terrible. I did everything I could, PB, WD, Torch.. My problem was getting a tool over the nut while keep the shaft in place. I just ended up cutting the shock, I said screw it, I'd be throwing them out anyway. I thought about just purchasing new strut mounts but trust me, you can get it off with a little innovation and elbow grease. I have to say though out of all the tutorials I came across this problematic thing wasn't mentioned in depth, but I see its a big problem with at least 50% of 4th gens. The other 50% have little to know issues removing the nut. You'll get it man.

Maroboy

iTrader: (1)

haahah ,,, so u know exactly what im going thru and how i feel lol.. i spent the whole day and nothing!!
i was thinking on cut shock off,, did it came off when u did that?


also the two bolts on drivers side..did you had any issues with that?
i cant get those off either

stroked383HSR

iTrader: (12)

WOW!...and thats is just the rubber piece. Thats not the upper mount....looks like the upper mount is something like $93+

just cut that bitch if you dont get the bolt off. TRUST me though a garage will get it off for ya NO PROBLEM if they know what they are doing and shouldnt charge you at all.

Cheap Guy

iTrader: (3)

I've replaced the shocks twice on Camaro and it's hit or miss on the nut/mounts. On my first one, I took it to a shop and they did a good job and the mounts weren't damaged so it only cost about $30. The second time I thought it would go the same way but the shop took a torch to it and screwed up the mounts, which run about $100 a piece, including the isolator. In hindsight, I should have stayed and watched them try to take it off, making sure they didn't put heat on it.

In short, if you take it to a shop, make sure they don't torch it if you don't want to buy new mounts.

BTW, do a search about mounts to make sure you get the right ones. I can't recall if the Moog or Monroe mounts are the best one to go with.