Hi i have a 2wd 94 4runner. Im gonna try today to change my rear shocks but realized it is so cramped to get the top nuts of the shocks off.

The one that is very cramped is the passenger side rear...

I just would like to get some feedback from people who have done them themselves.

I changed my front last week and basically used a slicer wheel to chop off the nuts, i was gonna try to at least do this to the driver side rear. But the passenger side rear is mainly what i need help with.

Thanks for any replies
-Matt

 

When I did mine, I used a "gear wrench" (one of those wrenches that have the ratcheting action on one end) and placed it on the top nut of the shock so it was trapped by the top of the shock mount. Then I used the chain style Vice Grips on the shock body and rotated the shock while the wrench held the nut in place.

I hope that makes sense.

 

thats a good idea, i know what a gear wrench is, but chain style vice grips dont come to mind im gonna search that though. thanks for the tips

 

did the same.. except with a standard wrench and I think I actually cut the dust cover off and put vice grips directly on the shaft.

 

http://www.mytoolstore.com/american/vis007.html

Center pic.

 

ya im probably gonna try and just cut off the dust cover and grip the rod with vice grips because the chain vice grips were 40$ at the local hardware store. thanks for the tips

 

Hey

I already had another post today about getting off rear shocks, but this one is focused at just getting the top nut off the rear shock.

Well what i have tried first is I applied pb blaster to top nut. cut dust cover off.
SO i put a 14mm wrench on the top nut so it can be pinned against a piece of metal and then i use vice grips on the rod shaft of the shock to turn it to break the nut loose.

My problem is the vice grips slip on the rod shaft while turning.

I dont know what else i can do maybe heat up the nut but it is in an area that you cant see. or just take it in to a mechanic

please help.....

 

tighten up the vice grips... or if you have room you can always take a reciprocating saw and cut it right below the frame mount. I've had to cut them off before on a few vehicles.

 

ya i think a reciprocating saw would be a good bet that probably what ill have to do

 

fix it yet?

 

If your not going to save that shock either cut it off or break the stud off below the nut.

If you have a torch you could well... torch it off...

 

If you want to save the shocks you should use a nut cutter. Tool looks kind of like a C-clamp with a little tooth in it. I have to cut nuts all the time on my 4runner. Then you just go and by a new nut and use locktite when you reinstall.

 

^^^ this is the best option IMO. As it will save the shock and stud altogether including the threads on the stud. Nuts are a dime a dozen. Welding on a new stud, well, if your like me and don't know how to weld.... or if you do, but aren't good at it or have the proper welder well......

 

I used the bend-and-break method to get my old shocks off. Unbolt the bottom, and bend until broken.

 

Zip disc on 4.5 grinder!! is my method

I can`t think of any nut I would put locktite on never seize on all pretty much

 

Be carefull with sparks near the gas tank

 

Air ratchet