Hello,
Im in the process of changing my rear shocks when the bolt going through the shock and the lower arm snaped at the head.

My next plan is to grind off the nut at the other end and hammer the bolt out....but this will only work if the nut is welded onto the strut like my new shockes are....so my question is does anyone know for sure if on stock rear struts, is the nut welded on to the strut...

or if anyone has any other ideas on how to remove the bolt...

thank you

 

The bolt on the shock IS welded to the shock fork.

Your bushing is guaranteed to be seized, so you're going to have to get a new bushing regardless of where you cut. From my experience, you're better off cutting the bolt at the bushing (ie. between the shock fork and the LCA) so you can at least drop the LCA from the shock. Then it's a matter of replacing the bushing and installing your new shock.

 

^^^^what he said

 

do you know how difficult this is....what tools would be required and do you know the procedure

thanks

 

I used a hacksaw but I'm sure a Sawzall or a cutting wheel will work as well - it doesn't matter if you destroy the bolt/bushing because it's toast anyway.

To remove the old/dead bushing, you need to press out the bushing. If you don't have access to a press, you can burn-out the old bushing, then cut out the sleeve - cut the metal sleeve in two or three places then use a socket and hammer it out.

To install a new bushing, an OEM bushing would require a press - I wouldn't recommending hammering it in unless you want to be all G.I.Joe about it. An Energy Suspension bushing would be the easier and more straight forward way for a replacement.

 

Do you know where I can buy an "Energy Suspension Bushing"...and with this type of bushing I wouldnt need a press to put it in..is that right?

And is removing the entire LCA just as straight forward as removing the two sets of bolts or is there some trick

thanks for the help...it really sucks not having an install go smoothly

 

No install ever does...

 

So true.

 

[QUOTE=96tegman]Do you know where I can buy an "Energy Suspension Bushing"...and with this type of bushing I wouldnt need a press to put it in..is that right?

And is removing the entire LCA just as straight forward as removing the two sets of bolts or is there some trick..although I have a feeling they will probably break as well.

can anyone answer this...and would the electric mastercraft impact socket gun from canadian tire help to get the bolts off or is it just a waste of money

thanks

 

You can get the Energy Suspension bushings from most "tuner" stores such as Performance Improvements. The cheaper alternative would be eBay but eBay isn't time or convenient friendly.

Energy Suspension bushings do not need to be pressed in, however, you need to remove the entire OEM bushing from the LCA beforehand - ie. that metal sleeve I was talking about earlier. The instructions for them should be straight forward, if you decide to go that route. Remember to use that weird lubricant it comes with otherwise, the bushings will squeek.

There is no trick to removing the LCA if you've removed all three bolts and the ABS lines (provided you have ABS). It should just come right off, provided the bolts aren't seized either.

Is that electric impact gun worth it? Don't know - I think Glenn has one but we've never used it for the suspension.

Good luck.