About to give up...rear shocks!

[madrock]

I know this topic has come up before, but for the life of me I cannot get to the nut on the top shock bolt. I am no expert but do know some things (installed my own spindle lift). I am tempted to throw in the towel at this point and pay the stealership $200 to install them.

Is my problem that I am using a stubby ratchet when I should be using a stubby wrench? The threads I have seen talk about wrenches about 2 inches long but I can only find ~5 inch wrenches. My ratchet falls off as soon as I reach for my impact wrench. I would cut a regular wrench but don't have the tools to do so.

My understanding is that the nuts should have wings to catch onto the frame but mine just spin.

Thoughts on what I am doing wrong?

 

[SlowRoller]

Believe it or not, I used a needle nose vice grip on the nut and my impact on the bolt head.

Was it fun? No.
Was it fast? No.
Did I have to try multiple times? Yes.
Did I wish I had the correct stubby for the nut? Heck yeah, but too stubborn to go look for one.

 

[Milt IV]

I read that people were using a stubby wrench, not ratchet.

 

[Graygoose]

Did you pull inner wheel linings?

 

[madrock]

Did you pull inner wheel linings?

Yes, sir. The driver side is especially painful with the fuel lines. I'll bite the bullet and order a stubby wrench.

 

[JasonK94Z]

Please let us know what size stubby wrench you get to work. Not sure what size the nut is

 

[SlowRoller]

I wish I remembers what the general size was,,, I have some stubbys, but they weren't big enough. =(

Another option may be a Crowfoot set. (Example of set below):

7 Piece 3/8" Crowfoot Metric Wrench Set

NOTICE!!! I just went out and checked the lower shock bolt with a 19 MM wrench. Both nut and bolt head on my 14 are a ~wee~ bit larger than 19mm. I doubt the top bolt is any different than the bottom bolt,,,

 

[SlowRoller]

Here is a relatively non-expensive set that goes up to 24 MM:

10-piece 3/8 inch drive crowfoot wrenches (metric): 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24 mm


TEKTON 3/8 in. Drive Metric Crowfoot Wrench Set (10-Piece)-2580 - The Home Depot

BUT,,,, it says not available in stores,,, = (

Same thing, $18.35 shipped:

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: TEKTON 2580 3/8-Inch Drive Crowfoot Wrench Set, Metric, 10-Piece

Angle-end wrench's might also work:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200615787_200615787

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2009-Wrench-Metric-15-Piece/dp/B000NY6PSY

 

[madrock]

Please let us know what size stubby wrench you get to work. Not sure what size the nut is

I ordered a 13/16 stubby wrench from Amazon. The wrench itself according to the site is ~5 inches long.

 

[clh1220]

Check harbor freight. Some of they're stuff is not bad.

 

[DannyMK2]

you need a crowfoot wrench. upper shock bolt is easy to remove with the right tools.

 

[BlownGP]

you need a crowfoot wrench. upper shock bolt is easy to remove with the right tools.

What size? 20mm?

This is some good info. Had no idea this was a PITA. I was about to change the shocks soon.

 

[DannyMK2]

What size? 20mm?

This is some good info. Had no idea this was a PITA. I was about to change the shocks soon.

that i dont remember. i have a complete set of them so i just grabbed the one that fits lol. i want to say its the same size as the lower shock bolt but im not 100% positive about that.

 

[madrock]

The lower is 21mm. I could only find 13/16 stubby wrenches.

I also ordered the metric crowfoot wrenches SlowRoller found on Amazon.

 

[DougM55]

I checked Harbor Freight and Craftsman near me and they didn't have a 13/16 stubby. I ended up finding one at Northern Tool. I didn't end up replacing my shocks so I didn't test it out on the top bolt but I did use it to hold the nut on the bottom bolt while I used a ratchet on the bolt. I believe I was using a 19 or 21mm socket on that bolt. I can't remember the exact size but it seemed that the 13/16 wrench had a mm equivalent.

 

[SlowRoller]

I went ahead and ordered the angle head wrench set.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2009-Wrench-Metric-15-Piece/dp/B000NY6PSY?tag=viglink21284-20

I guess if they don't work, I'll always have my trusty old needle nose vice grips!!! LOL!!!

(What a PITA, but they did ~~work~~ once before! LOL!!)

 

[Nutshell]

Ha! I took a 22mm wrench and cut the box end off. Done in 30 minutes

 

[BlownGP]

I went ahead and ordered the angle head wrench set.

TEKTON 2009 Angle Open End Wrench Set, Metric, 15-Piece - - Amazon.com

I guess if they don't work, I'll always have my trusty old needle nose vice grips!!! LOL!!!

(What a PITA, but they did ~~work~~ once before! LOL!!)

Just when I thought I had every tool..lol

Thanks guys, going to see if I can find the crows feet at harbor freight.

 

[JasonK94Z]

Ha! I took a 22mm wrench and cut the box end off. Done in 30 minutes

Post a pic of modified wrench please!

 

[PassivAggressor]

Yah I cut a wrench. Pain in the ass but not too horrible once you have that and pull the liners out.