Just bought new shocks and I can't get the upper part of the shock loose! I have a strap wrench (cheap craftsman one) but no luck... are there any tricks?

 

I ended up having to cut mine to get them off. (2002 4runner)
-B

 

You pretty much have to destroy the upper shock casing to get the stock ones off. An air ratchet works nicely too.

 

I just did mine last weekend. A couple weeks prior, I sprayed the top nuts liberally with PB Blaster. Before putting a wrench on the nuts, I turned the shocks by hand to break up any dirt and crud. Then, I put my wrench on the nut and turned the shock's dust cover by hand (driver side) or by large slipjoint wrench (passenger side).

My forearms were sore for a few days afterwards though.

Getting the new shocks on and tight is harder IMO. Next time I do this, I'm paying the local Midas $89 to replace the rears (labor only). The fronts are MUCH easier other than replacing the springs. Midas will swap the springs onto the new shocks for $40. I'll pay the $129 to save the hassle of doing the rears and messing with the front springs.

Chris

 

Actually, my driver's side shock came out unscathed, but the passenger side dust cover got crunched. I might've saved it as well if I cared enough to try.

Chris

 

I'm just glad I have a body lift on my 02 4Runner, otherwise I don't know how I would have been able to access the top nut for the rear shocks easily. It's a tough little bugger.

 

The trick(s) that I would suggest would be a can of "The original RUST EATER" (comes in a brown & yellow can) that I would use to apply liberally to the upper mounting nuts & let soak in for say 15 mins., & a ratcheting 14mm box wrench.

With that "strap wrench" secured around the upper most part of the upper shock housing & it's handle positioned against a convenient frame/chassis rail to prevent turning in the direction required to remove the upper nuts (there are two{2} by the way, that must be removed one at a time), I'd use the ratcheting 14mm to remove the upper mounting nuts (one at a time) & be done with it.

Hope this helps, good luck & post if you need help.

p.s. nice 'Runner, lucky you...& you've got an early model 'Crusier, too, now I'm envious.

 

I used a sawsall on my 2000. Heh-heh. At first, I fought the thing for about 1.5 hours and failed - then I took 3 minutes to cut it out. Success!

 

did u try using a cheater bar?

 

I think the main issue is that the shocks just spin when you try to undo them so it is very tough to get torque to loosen the nut (it gets even worse when the stud is rusty.....as anyone near a rustbelt will tell you).