I hate the rear shock design!

[freshley]

I'm putting my new shocks and lift on this weekend but I must say I hate the design of how the rear shocks are mounted! The top nuts were completely rusted just like I thought. No hope of getting those off after 11 years. Wiggled the one side back and forth until it snapped. Tried that on the other side, but it won't break. Got the sawzall out went through 2 blades and it still wouldn't go through. The shock exploded from the heat of cutting so now to make it more interesting there is oil leaking from it.
Just thought I'd vent a little as I know many of you have done this themselves...

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

I'm putting my new shocks and lift on this weekend but I must say I hate the design of how the rear shocks are mounted! The top nuts were completely rusted just like I thought. No hope of getting those off after 11 years. Wiggled the one side back and forth until it snapped. Tried that on the other side, but it won't break. Got the sawzall out went through 2 blades and it still wouldn't go through. The shock exploded from the heat of cutting so now to make it more interesting there is oil leaking from it.
Just thought I'd vent a little as I know many of you have done this themselves...

I know what you mean man. The rear shocks are a pain to change. Sometime in the future I want to switch my shock mounts to something like this.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Can't believe it wouldn't break. I broke mine of in about 30 seconds.

 

[imboredeveryday]

if you have some really big channel locks take them and clamp onto the shock and u should be able to get the bolts free

 

[Stick Figure]

:violin: I just unbolted mine w/ a 3/8 ratchet mid length socket IIRC

makes me <3 CA vehicles

 

[white_n_slow]

Yep, I had to break out the sawzall to get mine out. I also had to use the sawzall for one of my front strut hat thingies. I will definitely be modifying the top shock mount next time I do any significant under the rear.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

There's an array of people who have made their own weld on brackets for the other side of the frame that look very beefy, strong enough to take the stress of jumps.

Someone like Dirtco could start fabbing up weld on brackets and I'd certainly buy a set.

 

[Brian757]

Yeah, the photos abOve are mine. I welded a bolt to the side and at that spot, travel is perfect. It fits and acts like factory. You cannot go wrong.

 

[Ghostrider]

Yes - that engineer who did this design should be forced to NEVER design again. Crap like this is ridiculous. There was zero need to mount it like that