refresh time question

[1933beer]

I purchased several new parts to replace I started with the front sway bar. Then moved to the rear sway bar. I then had a bolt break off. ( will drill and tap) I then tried to replace the rear shocks where the top of the shock bolts was full of sand dirt and rocks. the drain hole had been plugged for a while. It is a real pain to get at the nut, especially on the drivers side.
Does anyone have a trick to get the shock out? With out it being a royal pain.

when this is done I can start on the brakes then move to the radiator, belts, and tranny filter.

thanks

 

[Diesel_Dog]

Do you want to keep the shocks for future use? If not just unbolt them at the bottom and bend them back and forth until the stud breaks off. I did both of mine in no time.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Sawzall. Cut it as close to the mount as you can and then let it drop. Push the remainder out through the top of the shock mount.

 

[1933beer]

pit bull

how did you cut them

 

[PitbullRescuer]

With a sawzall. Just cut through the shaft up close to the mount. The bend them back & forth method til they break works too. Some say it might damage the shock mount bending them like that but I've never had any issues.

 

[audiness]

Just unbolt the bottom of the shock, and bend the shock back and forth until the top breaks off. You'll be very surprised how easily it breaks.

 

[1933beer]

It is my dd so I don't want to get it stuck where I can't get it out. I don't want to keep the shocks. I think i can get to the passenger side shock with the sawlzal. I doubt it on the drivers side and I am concerned about messing up the mount if I try to just break it. I think it is a crappy set up toyota came up with. They should have made an access hole in the body.
Thanks for the help

 

[1933beer]

ok bending back and forth didn't work. My shock was still good so it forces out. So there is not enough room to go back and fourth really. the top cover didnt come down so I would have to cut through both with a saw zaw.

 

[txbonds]

You can try using a socket on the nut and a set of channel locks on the shock body if you don't mind ruining them. Once the body crushes the channel locks can turn them pretty easy.

If that doesn't work, then try cutting them as mentioned above.

Good luck.

 

[TakeitApart]

Unfortunately, there really is no "easy" way to get them out. As the one poster mentioned, a sawzall up near the bottom of the mount is the easiest and safest way on the driver's side. Do not use a torch!

Be prepared to smell the nastiest burning rubber smell ever, as the sawzall will heat the isolation bushings to a smoldering mess if you get the blade within 1/2" of the bottom bushing. Also, take a good look at the upper mounts when you get the shock out. They catch and hold quite a bit of dirt/mud/debris and can rust pretty bad.

Out of all the repairs to a 3rd gen, this is my least favorite! I think they're even worse than rear axle seals! Of course, I do have all the tools and support of my job at the dealership to aid in the repairs, but there really is no short cut to the rear shocks besides a 2" body lift to gain access points between the frame and body.

 

[1933beer]

Yes there was a bunch of crap up in the top and it is rusted while the rest is not the drain holes were not draining