shock removal

[poupas]

Just a quick question. I was replacing my front shocks today, or at least trying to, when I hit a major snag. I removed the upper two bolts, no problem, removed the nut on the bottom but I was not able to pull out the bolt. The bolt turns but will not slide. I cant get a hammer in there due to the coil. I used a c-clamp, no effect. I slid a piece of wood through the coil and hammered that, no effect. At this point I got fed up and tried the other side. Same deal. They are stuck. I have been told to try a air rachet, which might loosen it. I have been told to try torching the rubber to loosen it from the bolt. Havent tried either yet, looking for more advice. Anybody have any.....
                                     Thanks
                                                   Andrew

[Sentinel]

I know on Dough's Cradle removal we were left with no other choice but to go with the torch, those suckers really get bound in there. Unfortunatly the rubber still has enough give that unless you get one hell of a swing she ain't comin out. Another option is to find some chemical that will degrade the rubber, you tried liquid wrench yet?, although I'd becareful, if that doesn't work I'm sure if you resort to the torch you'll end up with some big fire

[poupas]

I just searched through PFF and came across this......

"If the bottom bolt is stuck in the sleeve, twist it around until you find the seam in the sleeve. (Most shocks have a rolled sleeve.) Center punch on or right next to the seam to split it open. That usually will unload it enough to let go of the bolt. It will also let in penetrating oil.

If it’s not already loose, the sleeve will usually tear loose from the bushing fairly easy. Just be careful. It can snap a wrench pretty far if you don’t have a good grip."

Not too sure what they mean by 'sleeve', part of the shock that the bolt threads through? Have to go take a look for some seams and sleeves.....

[fiero308]

hmmmmmm reading that item, I can't imagine at the moment how you would GET AT that sleeve.  It seems to me that it would be 'hidden from view/access' by the bracket on the bottom control arm...
But, in case I am making that up, the 'sleeve is the small steel 'tube' in the bottom shock mount.  There is the large diameter piece of tube that is the 'whole' lower mount, and inside that is a rubber bushing (permanent) and then inside that rubber bushing is the sleeve.  Probably (guessing) about an 8 or 10mm dia (not HEAD size) bolt.  That sleeve is the thing they are talking about.  It is not actually tube, just a flat piece of metal that is rolled up to form a 'tube' around the lower bolt.  So where the rolled ends come together it forms a seam.  I haven't seen a conventional shock that doesn't do that.
The article you mention talks about putting QUITE a bit of torque on a wrench to twist the bolt against the shear strength of the rubber bushing in order to 'find' the seam in that tube.  I am not sure how you would see it or get at it, assuming you can do that in a controlled fashion, but yes, be CAREful.  I expect that wrench will want to 'return to point zero with a lot of determination.
I don't remember having particular difficulty with mine so can't offer any help.  ONE thing to always keep in mind, tho, if you are hammering something - ANYthing, with the hopes of removing it, MAKE SURE THE THING YOU ARE HITTING IS NOT MOVING OR ABLE TO 'SHAKE' OR 'VIBRATE'... that way the full force of the blow will go to 'loosening' the bolt or whatever, and not be wasted in simply making the item shake around a bit.  Things like control arm bushings absorb road bumps and car weight - size forces.   A hammer blow is peanuts, they will just shake a bit and nothing will be gained.  So firmly block the item so that it is very very solid and then do the hammer thing. 
Anyway, if you DO try it and it DOES work, let us all know!  And good luck. 

[dguy]

hmmmmmm reading that item, I can't imagine at the moment how you would GET AT that sleeve.  It seems to me that it would be 'hidden from view/access' by the bracket on the bottom control arm...

...and by the light of the blue wrench, all shall be revealed!   

Seriously.  Burn, or soften & scrape away enough of the bushing so that you can see the sleeve.  Once you have enough of the bushing removed, you should be able to twist/tilt/etc. the shock sufficiently to get a center punch or other tool in there & try to split the seam in the sleeve.

As a last resort, use a grinder to cut off both ends of the bolt flush with the control arm.  Pry it out of there, and replace the bolt.

[aaron88]

I'm with Don, cut that shit out and replace it.  That's what I had to do with my shocks (although different design).


Aaron

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[poupas]

Ok, shocks are off. I broke out the grinder and cut the shock where the bolt runs through. New shocks are in place. Bought new bolts at C-Tire for $1.
Thanks for all the advice. May need more on a different topic.  Check my next thread.
                                       Andrew