Cut shock mount nut/bolt???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Cut shock mount nut/bolt???
hi all. Im soakin my shock mount castle nuts for days now. Oil and hydrochloride acid and heat. I think they will come eventually especially with the acid. But I was wondering has anyone ever just cut the castle nut off with a cutting blade on a 4" grinder? Or would that make it impossible to pound the mount out of the strut?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Using a propane torch heat the nut for about 30 minutes, let it cool, THEN try impacting it off. The high heat will destroy the rust that is holding it on. Better yet would be using an acetylene torch because you can heat the nut cherry red.
Once you get it off be sure to use Never-Seez on the threads or any RTV to prevent rusting in the future.
Once you get it off be sure to use Never-Seez on the threads or any RTV to prevent rusting in the future.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 112
From: Michigan
I had to cut my shock mounts out in pieces but I got my nuts off, so I can't imagine something that rusty being fun. Try a breaker bar with some pipe to extend the handle.
Edit: I did have to cut the castle part off because there was no way I was gonna get the keys out. You'll need new shock mounts if you cut, but you'll prob need some anyway. Also the mounts have a D slot on one end and knurls on the other so don't even try to twist them.
Edit: I did have to cut the castle part off because there was no way I was gonna get the keys out. You'll need new shock mounts if you cut, but you'll prob need some anyway. Also the mounts have a D slot on one end and knurls on the other so don't even try to twist them.
Last edited by BOOT77; Jun 4, 2015 at 03:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Nut Splitter
There are tools to split the nut which would reduce the danger of damaging something else. Look up nut splitters. My mount was stuck tight like this. I ended up pulling out the whole trailing arm with the strut attached after working on it for a couple of days with oil and heat. My buddy hit it with the back of an ax and it finally popped. Sometimes it is just a matter of the right leverage.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Heat that nut cherry with an acetylene torch then take an impact wrench to it. Harbor Freight has an electric model on sale for $39 bucks. Buy one and you will never know how you got along without one. Lug nuts come off in short order using this tool, among other uses.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-h...nch-61173.html
Getting the nut off is only part of the chore, then you need to drive the pin out of the strut. It is likely rust welded in place. Don't forget the anti-seize on assembly.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-h...nch-61173.html
Getting the nut off is only part of the chore, then you need to drive the pin out of the strut. It is likely rust welded in place. Don't forget the anti-seize on assembly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 572
From: West Monroe Louisiana
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Auto Zone or O'Reilly's and borrow a pickle fork and try driving out the
shock mount. It doesn't cost anything for the loan. You just leave a deposit
and when you return the tool, you get your deposit back.
Get a tie-rod pickle fork not the ball joint.
Here is a shot of how I did mine.
Donnie