Rear shock tower nut

[enzia35]

is really pissing me off. Just about rounded off the flat thing up top and still ain't loose yet. HALP!

I've already got some PB on the thing to no avail.

[cam98aro]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

i dont recall how exactly the nut was, but i do remember using vice grips on it

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

I've tried it already. Still stuck. And all the metal is rounded off now, so very tough to get a grip with the vices. So I might be getting the saws-all out.

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Got the nut out with a nut splitter, worked like a charm. Done with both shocks and springs for the back. Now to start the front.:(

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

If you thought the rear was a pain, just wait for the fronts ;)

My advice for the fronts is to buy new springs and shock mounts at the same time to avoid having to take the old stuff apart. Or just have a hack saw and a grinder handy.

[ssms5411]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Esp. if the fronts haven't been done before and you live in a state where rust eats up you metal. I thought mine was bad with a little rust esp. on the passenger side. Had to cut it apart. So new shock mounts is a good idea and also buy some reg. bolts for the torx head bolts up frront , makes it alot easier. Good luck.

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

I bought some moog shock mounts in preparation for the install.:p New springs and shocks too.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Good man. Front shouldn't be all that bad then.

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

I can't get the front springs compressed enough to fit the strut mount back on.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Are you using lowering springs? I wasn't able to use the regular spring compressors rented from Autozone. My buddy had a press so I used that, but if you don't, usually shops won't charge much just for assembly. It may be a matter of renting a different type of spring compressor but that's what I did.

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Hmm. Stupid question first, are the front shocks/struts supposed to stay still? As in no retracting/expanding of the shock/strut? At first I though that it was just a matter of pulling the strut shaft out all the way, but the springs are still too long.

I'm using Hotchkis springs and KYB AGX struts, with compressors rented from Autozone.

[enzia35]

Re: Rear shock tower nut

Paid a shop to install the springs onto the struts, tore up the powder coating while doing it. Almost done now, I'm now putting the nut back onto the spindle arm/upper arm, and the damn bolt keeps spinning! Did I break something?