DIY shocks and struts replacement questions..

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Oct 16, 2003 | 02:57 PM

UrSoccer_mobileÂ®

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DIY shocks and struts replacement questions..

I don't have airtools available and wondering if using a mallet to give some impact on loosening those tight bolts an ok thing to do.

What's the biggest bolt/nut size am I going to encounter? Just pre-prepping my self before I tackle this job which includes visiting my local hadware store.

and yeah, I know about the pipe wrench..

Any Do's and Don't(s)?

TIA

Oct 16, 2003 | 03:06 PM

oddBALL

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22mm i dont have air tools either did the hole thing with one friend

Oct 16, 2003 | 03:13 PM

UrSoccer_mobileÂ®

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Re: 22mm i dont have air tools either did the hole thing with one friend

how did you loosen those tight bolts/nuts? hammering them?

Oct 16, 2003 | 03:25 PM

Joe Sixpack

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Re: DIY shocks and struts replacement questions..

You're going to need spring compressors, there also a special tool you need to take the top shock nut off, you can make the tool out of a piece of 3/4" pipe. You'll know what to do once you look at it. You may also need a puller to get your tie-rod ends loose, see pic, looks like the tool in the middle. Set of metric wrenches and sockets you should be fine. For the rear shocks you will also need a large adjustable wrench to hold the bolt side while you turn the nut side with your 22MM socket. Have fun, took me most of a day by myself.<ul><li><a href="http://i4.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/bf/58/6a_1.JPG">http://i4.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/bf/58/6a_1.JPG</a</li></ul>

Oct 16, 2003 | 06:41 PM

RxFX101

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long *** breaker bar!

Oct 17, 2003 | 05:46 AM

MasterB

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what about renting a small compressor and gun for the 1/2 day? ...makes life easier

Mar 9, 2010 | 12:14 PM

toddstebleton@mac.com

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Good call on renting the right tools. It all depends on the amount of rust and how old the car is. Some jobs go smooth, some can take 5X as long. Air tools makes sense for most jobs. I think it's important to take your time. I just finished doing every suspension part on my front end last weekend, including shocks. It went well, but I did spend about 3 full days on it. I also did the rear shocks. It was my first time. I did need to use a small butane torch for about 30 minutes to get the upper control arm pinch bolt off my B5. That was a doozy.