Cursing and sweating

[knothead]

Is there a trick to getting the top nut off on the left side shock on a 2001
4runner. I cant seem to get anything in there. I am about to cut a hole in the floor. I can cut it but then I will have the same problem getting it back on with the new shock.

Tom

 

[Natey]

Did you compress the spring 1st?

 

[knothead]

Did you compress the spring 1st?

Sorry, I forgot to put REAR shock.

 

[TheDurk]

Sorry, I forgot to put REAR shock.

If old ones are OEM with the steel boot: Put a 14mm deep socket on the nut with a breaker bar on it. (I used an impact socket. 6-point FTW.) Get a big set of ChannelLocks and grab boot and twist. Shock piston will snap easily right at the nut. 2 minutes max to do the second one after you get the knack.

Other types of shocks without steel boot:

1. Just bend it back and forth until it snaps. Some risk of damaging mount. I would try with the socket on the nut and the shock loose at the bottom, then pull on breaker bar and shock at same time. Thus no force against mount.
2. Sawzall.