irocbsa

This spring/shock/98+ brake install has quickly turned into mess. The upper shock bolt is rusted to the rod so both are turning together. With the way the mount it set up there really isn't a way to get an open ended wrech on there to spin it while I hold the rod. I looked up the upper shock mounts and they're $100 each! Does anyone have any suggestions? I would just cut the rod but there's no way to do it because of the spring.

mdacton

on the front of the car? are you swapping the struts also? if so cut the top off with a cutoff wheel...make sure the spring is compressed. The mounts don't cost that much....try somewhere else, I think they are around 45 per side

irocbsa

Yeah, front shock/spring/brake swap. I don't see how I can cut the rod off without ruining the mount.

You're right, I was looking at dealer parts. Autozone has them for $50 each.

mdacton

put the compresser on the spring and if you have new struts then take something like an angle grinder an just gring it where the stud comes thru on the top.....keep working it and you will get it ....ther is a odd shaped washer type thing under the....be sure te reuse that.

Its a common thing for them to be rusted up like that

JimboManJones

What that guy said, compress the spring alot, then slide the dust cover down and sawzall that bitch. Thats what I did, I couldn't even tell the damn thing was a nut anymore mine was so rusted.

OBE1 95Z28

When you're replacing the parts, apply some antiseize grease to the shock rod threads to prevent it from rusting.

irocbsa

Thanks folks. I got one of them off and I'm working on the next one. Time for a new cutoff wheel!

NJLT1SS

For the front shock mounts, I used a mix of anti seize and synthetic wheel bearing grease. I put a coating of it over the new nut and washer, and also used a generous amount through the mount itself. On one of my front shock assemblies, the top of the shock shaft was rusted to the mount itself, and wouldn’t even come apart after it was unbolted. Needless to say, that was a fun/terrifying experience getting that apart.



Nick

irocbsa

I am definitely planning on doing that. Needless to say, it has not been fun replacing the entire front suspension on a high mileage car. Anything I can do to make this easier the next time will be done. I have to wonder, how bad are northern cars? My car spent 99% of its life down south before I moved up to MI and it has still been a bear to take apart because of rusted bolts.