Really, how hard is it?

Dynamitega · Jun 22nd, 2003, 09:06 PM

Hey guys,

My main question is: How hard is it to get those bottom nuts off the old shocks and struts? They look pretty stuck on there.

The reason I ask this is because I was telling my dad about doing this and he said, "Just bring it to a shop to do it for you. It's going to be a bitch to get those bottom ones off." Me, being the do-it-yourselfer, I want to do this install and I tried to explain to him how easy it is to actually do. I've done a lot of reading and research, so it should be an easy install.

Basically, that's the only thing that is really stopping him from saying "Ok, do it." I also don't really want to pay the labor charge for someone else to do it, plus I want to learn and have that satisfaction of doing it yourself.

I'm sure it can't be that hard to get those nuts off, but what would be a good tool to loosen that thing up?

Thanks a lot.

Nissan200sxSER · Jun 22nd, 2003, 10:56 PM

Mine had no rust, but were on very tight. Make sure you are using a 1/2in drive. Put a piece of pipe or something else on the end of the rachet to give it more leverage. If you still cant get it, vigerously lift weights for a week and then try

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zeno · Jun 23rd, 2003, 12:43 PM

I had to swap my rear shocks because they were FUBAR. I just put a 2' pipe on the end and got all the torque I needed to get the bolts off. The pipe has been the best $2 investment I have made (also helped me w/ my exhaust piping bolts). There is also Liquid Wrench and chemicals to help get rid of some of the rust

HKS20DET · Jun 23rd, 2003, 03:13 PM

the biggest pain in the a$$ is getting the top strut nut off. front and rear. takes a little time. my advise is to leave the car on the ground and try to loosen that nut on all 4 corners. most of the time the pressure keeps the strut piston from turning with the nut.

better yet... why dont u go do it at your dads shop that way u have air tools?? makes the job so much faster

Dynamitega · Jun 23rd, 2003, 06:56 PM

My dad doesn't have a shop, but he has air tools... it should be a piece of cake with that. Thanks for the replies.

lowmileage · Jul 1st, 2003, 09:15 AM

When all else fails, I have a couple of sware words

that are guaranteed to work. Ill PM them to you

Dynamitega · Jul 1st, 2003, 07:54 PM

lol, yeah, I used a bunch that day... enough to make up for 1-5 months, depending on which months...

9double8 · Jul 2nd, 2003, 10:43 AM

i tried to take mine off to work on my suspension and couldn't get them off. Went to a muffler shop gave the guy $20 and he put it on the rack and losen them up and hand tighten them to get me home...it worked for me.