Old Shocks

[bwc302]

Pulling the front suspension off a donor truck and having a good time with some shocks.

When attempting to take off or loosen the top nut, what is a good way to keep the shaft from spinning?

Thanks,

Bobby

[DuckRyder]

If you don't care about reusing them just clamp a pair of vice grips on the shaft.

Most of them have a flat or allen key head on the top as well, but vice grips works better if you aren't trying to reuse.

I just put KYB's on the front of mine and they made a huge diffrence

[Fordfool]

Smoke wrench works best

[FORDification]

I've always used Vice Grips as well. The end of the shaft will accept a special tool that will hold it while you're loosening the nut, but I've never bothered with getting one.

[bwc302]

So just clamp the vice grips above the nut toward the top of the shaft?

Thanks,

Bobby

[FORDification]

Yeah, at the very tip of the shaft....away from the threads. If the shocks you're removing are throw-aways, and the threads are rusty/stripped, just remove the nut enough to get a cut-off tool under it and cut the shaft. It'll save you some grief.

[flyboy2610]

A grinder will work well, too, if you have room for it.

[DuckRyder]

So just clamp the vice grips above the nut toward the top of the shaft?

I clamp it down low below the mount. If the shock has a metal dust shield made on, use a channel locks or a strap wrench on that.

[bwc302]

Thanks all, I will probably replace them but just to be sure I will vice grip the tops.

Bobby