Rear shock removal - am I missing something?

[fbgh2o]

I should be able to do this, but just spent 2 hours fighting to get the lower bolts (22mm) loose. I cannot even budge the driver's side one. Is there a trick, do I need an impact gun?

Thanks in advance.

[white944cup]

You probably do need an impact gun or a large breaker bar. Those bolts are torqued very tight and they ususally become frozen on over the years. Some PB Blaster and a little heat would help also.

[fbgh2o]

Thanks... That was my fear... Time to take the plunge and get a compressor.

[924Sman]

If you have access to a hand style impact(used w/a hammer) you may get lucky and break it loose. I tapped a few times w/a heavy hammer along with the WD-40 then smacked the impact to break loose. Much cheaper to get one than a compressor. Just an option for you!

Dal

[DSPTurtle]

I usually use a big breaker bar. That is a heck of a lot cheaper then a compressor

[djnolan]

I used my floor jack under the 1/2" breaker bar! They are tight...

[NINE01]

if the shocks look old...i would guess the bolt is stuck in the shock cut the bottom loop of the shock with a die grinder the bolt will then come right out

[WizPorsche944]

I used a high torque impact

[hpservertech]

Impact wrench is the easiest.

If you dont have one though, you can use the weight of the car to help with this. Just use a good breaker bar (or pipe with a wrench) and SLOWLY lower the car against the breaker bar. Take your time with it though and be careful.

If your looking for a compressor, check your local craigslist or Harbor Freight

[944 Ecology]

I usually have no problem loosening the bolt. I use the proper box end wrench and a 4 pound sledge hammer (on the wrench) to get it started. Make sure that the car is on good jackstands first, and stable. Once you get the bolt started loose, you will need to jack up the control arm a bit to take the tension off the shock, so the bolt will spin out pretty easy at that point.

The wrench and hammer trick will do more than almost any air impact wrench less than $1000.

[fbgh2o]

Thank George. That's what I am going to do. Any suggestion for the top bolts?

[944 Ecology]

The upper bolts are not too difficult. I use a 19 mm wrench, box end on the inside and an impact wrench on the outside. Usually pop right off.

I almost always remove the lower bolts first.