Shock Removal Tip

This tech tip comes from Lou Calka, and was first published in our October 2001 issue

Removing some shocks on some vehicles can be difficult. Often, on some rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the nut is seized to the stud so that turning the nut to remove it simply rotates the entire shaft of the shock. These will usually come off with repeated blasts of an impact wrench. If it’s too tight for that, try this. Place the correct size deep socket over the stud and onto the nut. Insert a long extension into the socket. Now rock the extension back and forth (as if shifting a manual transmission from first to second to first.) In less than a minute the rocking will fatigue the metal and break the stud off below the nut.

I have tried this method and it works! It is great if the only areas you have access to be in the trunk that does to have the height to use an impact or if using liquid rust penetrates or torches are not an option. Also, try rotating the shock while you are bending the stud.