I am replacing OEM rear shocks with Tokico d-specs.

I am removing the OEM shocks. I have unbolted the lower shock bolt. I opened the trunk hatch pulled the cover back and hand ratcheted the upper shock nut but it will not loosen. As I torque the upper nut, the whole assembly rotates so the nut is not looesening but just twisting.

I rebolted the bottom of the shocks to see if that would work butit didn't.

See nut location number 1 on page 1 of this (http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10281/exploded%20view%20rear%20suspention.pdf).

I do not have air tools, just hand tools. I don't think the torque of a hand ratchet is doing the trick. Do I need to somehow find a power tool that can apply repeated and high speed torque to the upper nut assembly.

HELP!

Get a buddy to hold the top part of shock from underneath the car.

I used some oil on the top threads.
This helped with the tightness of the
nut I encountered when removing them.
Doing the top first might have helped. [X(]

I DID rebolt the Shock's bottom nut/bolt, then retried to loosen the top nut. NO luck. So attempting one (top v. bottom) before the other is unavailing.

The very top of the shock bolt should be like 8 or 10 mm (I think, it might be even smaller). If you hold the top of the bolt with the 8 or 10 mm wrench youcan loosen the mounting bolt from the rubber mounts. You do not need another person, just 2 hands.

The less risky methods . . .

Sometimes you can get a small wrench on the shock stud above the nut to hold it still and use a box or open end wrench to turn the nut.

A cordless impact tool might work if there's room to get it in there. (This is a tremendously useful tool to have, with a spare battery pack, BTW)

A nut-buster can be used to split the nut.

You can also put a deepwell socket over the nut and stud and work it back and forth with an extension until the shaft breaks. I am assuming that the old shock is trash.


Norm

ORIGINAL: Norm Peterson

Sometimes you can get a small wrench on the shock stud above the nut to hold it still and use a box or open end wrench to turn the nut.

Stud I said Bolt, you said it better then me Norm. I thinkthe size was like an 8 mm

I think we were composing our replies at the same time. I'm just a little slow when it comes to hitting the 'OK' button. You beat me, fair and square.

ORIGINAL: Norm Peterson

The less risky methods . . .

Sometimes you can get a small wrench on the shock stud above the nut to hold it still and use a box or open end wrench to turn the nut.

A cordless impact tool might work if there's room to get it in there. (This is a tremendously useful tool to have, with a spare battery pack, BTW)

A nut-buster can be used to split the nut.

You can also put a deepwell socket over the nut and stud and work it back and forth with an extension until the shaft breaks. I am assuming that the old shock is trash.


Norm


Thanks Norm,

I ended up having to take an adjustable open ended wrench to clamp on the top of the rod while I used a fixed 18mm wrench to torque the nut loose. Finally worked.

Thanks.