Problem: Front Shock Removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Problem Solved! Front Shock Removal
Removed and replaced left front shock. Very easy, no problem. Problem with right front shock removal. Used small open end wrench to hold the shock upper stem from turning, but I can not remove the upper stem retainer nut. I have retainer nut all the way to the top of the stem but it is still tight and will not turn--problem is that I can now not "get a bite" on the upper shock stem with my open end wrench because the retainer nut is all the way to the top. Used PB Blaster--no luck. Assume upper shock stem threads may be stripped. Any suggestions?
Update: All the ideas were excellent and I think anyone of them would have worked. I opted for the nut splitter tool solution. Cost of the tool was $11.00 and I had the nut off the shock upper stem in 4 minutes. Very easy--plus I got to purchase and use a new tool. Thanks guys!
Update: All the ideas were excellent and I think anyone of them would have worked. I opted for the nut splitter tool solution. Cost of the tool was $11.00 and I had the nut off the shock upper stem in 4 minutes. Very easy--plus I got to purchase and use a new tool. Thanks guys!
Last edited by Patrick73; Sep 29, 2005 at 07:24 PM. Reason: to update problem
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
If you're going to throw them away I would just grab the shaft below the nut with a pair of vice-grips. Get a good solid bite with the vice-grips the first time and the nut should come right off.
GUSTO
GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Originally Posted by Patrick73
Removed and replaced left front shock. Very easy, no problem. Problem with right front shock removal. Used small open end wrench to hold the shock upper stem from turning, but I can not remove the upper stem retainer nut. I have retainer nut all the way to the top of the stem but it is still tight and will not turn--problem is that I can now not "get a bite" on the upper shock stem with my open end wrench because the retainer nut is all the way to the top. Used PB Blaster--no luck. Assume upper shock stem threads may be stripped. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
If you really want to safe the shock: get another nut that fits the thread, cut it in two pieces, clean the cut, fit it on the shock's thread and grab this nut with vice grip pliers.... now remove the upper nut.... The threads should not get damaged, unlike grabbing the threads with the vice grip...
This is probably not worth the effort but will work
This is probably not worth the effort but will work
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Sawzall will certainly work or a hack saw, though this'll take a while. There is also a tool that I love called a nut splitter. It wraps around the nut and drives a wedge like cutter into the nut. Use this on both sides and you can split the nut off. Not very expensive and kind of fun.
You can also often remove these top shock nuts with an impact wrench. The shaft will spin some, but eventually it will come off.
You can also often remove these top shock nuts with an impact wrench. The shaft will spin some, but eventually it will come off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by GUSTO14
If you're going to throw them away I would just grab the shaft below the nut with a pair of vice-grips. Get a good solid bite with the vice-grips the first time and the nut should come right off.
GUSTO
GUSTO
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Thanks guys; all excellent ideas. The rubber bushing is still on the upper shock stem immediately below the retainer nut---which makes it impossible to get a pair of vice grips--or another nut-- on the shock shaft/upper stem. Not able to grab hold from below even with the shock extended downward. And that upper rubber bushing is not only rock hard, but it spins on the upper shock stem now that it is loose!
May end up using sawzall, but access is very tight. Nut splitter idea I had not thought of.
As I have said before, anyone that owns a C3 also needs to immediately go purchase PB Blaster, a Sawsall, an assembly manual and have lots of patience.
May end up using sawzall, but access is very tight. Nut splitter idea I had not thought of.
As I have said before, anyone that owns a C3 also needs to immediately go purchase PB Blaster, a Sawsall, an assembly manual and have lots of patience.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Patrick73
Thanks guys; all excellent ideas. The rubber bushing is still on the upper shock stem immediately below the retainer nut---which makes it impossible to get a pair of vice grips--or another nut-- on the shock shaft/upper stem. Not able to grab hold from below even with the shock extended downward. And that upper rubber bushing is not only rock hard, but it spins on the upper shock stem now that it is loose!
May end up using sawzall, but access is very tight. Nut splitter idea I had not thought of.
As I have said before, anyone that owns a C3 also needs to immediately go purchase PB Blaster, a Sawsall, an assembly manual and have lots of patience.
May end up using sawzall, but access is very tight. Nut splitter idea I had not thought of.
As I have said before, anyone that owns a C3 also needs to immediately go purchase PB Blaster, a Sawsall, an assembly manual and have lots of patience.
