PITA changing front shocks!

[MG_43]

I changed the front shocks on my 92 XJ 4.0, the top nut that is under the master cylinder is a pain to get to cause the nut is usually rusted and its nearly impossible to get a wrench in there to hold the bolt on the shock so it doesn't turn. After looking several times thru my tool boxes to see what might work, I used a distributor wrench and a cresent wrench and it worked great. You can turn the dist. wrench just enough to break the nut lose and then just use a ratchet to get the nut off.
Just thought I'd pass this on in case someone runs into the same problem.

 

[Eagle]

I never thought of the distributor wrench. I've stuck a wrench on that upper nut and then used a strap wrench to turn the shock while the nut stays in one place.

Whoever designed that should have been required to service a few of them ...

 

[Chero-King]

I had to take mine out for a little while a few weeks ago and I know what you mean about it being a PITA. Luckily mine wasnt rusted, I just used a wrench and got it. But I'll be changing them this weekend, So thanks for the Dist. wrench idea.

 

[cmotsvt]

I usually reach for the nut splitter on those, it doesnt matter if the threads on the old shock get f-ed.

 

[aplatz]

Just searched on sears.com and found one for $9.99. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[frankenjeep]

i used a fire wrench when i changed mine .... it worked great

 

[desertred]

Good timing with the info, as I too will be changing shocks all the way around in the next couple of weeks. I just ordered a set of Monroe Sensi-Tracs from Sears while they were on sale and subject to a 4 for 3 mail in rebate.

 

[wcbuyer]

I used a gearwrench on the nut and an adjustable wrench on the flat spots at the top of the threads. That's after spraying the nuts.

 

[esrasmu2001]

I guess I have it lucky then. I had pulled the engine and noticed that the nut was only on finger tight on both of the shocks! Guess that is what you get when you buy it on ebay and tow it home!

 

[MG_43]

Before I changed the rear shocks I read an article about what to do first.
Since the bolts that hold the top of the shocks have a bad habit of breaking, I've done a lot of junk yard parts removing and have found, (on a rusted bolt) if you take a punch and hit the head of the bolt few good hits it will break the bolt lose enough that you don't end up breaking the bolts off, and some PB Blaster doesn't hurt.

 

[RyleyF]

An adjustable wrench/pliers on the flat spot and a ratchet wrench works great as well.

 

[sfunk88]

When I changed mine I was able to hold the shock with my hand and use a crescent wrench.