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jeremypbeasley Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2018 Posts: 164 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:35 pm Post subject: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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First supension job. I've got the control arm off, and bottom bolt out of the shock, but the top nut simply won't budge.
The protective cap was still in place so there's no rust or obvious seizure. The issue is clearly how I'm going about this. When I jack up the lower control arm, I turn the nut counter clockwise, and it rotates the shaft it sits on as well as the rubber and flange below.
I've seen some threads here that note a hex hole in the top of the shaft you can use to keep it from turning but I have no such thing.
Any direction on how I can turn the nut without turning the shaft? Thanks a ton for your help.
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1845 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Hi
1/ Put WD40 or Seafoam or PB Blaster, or whatever you use, on these threads, and wait a few minutes
2/ Use a vise-grip to hold the shaft from turning, while unscrewing the bolt.
Do you have a torch? Heat would help.
if you have a Dremel or similar, just cut the nut off (make sure you don't damage the big washer underneath. _________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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I would be tempted to get in there with a dremel and cut a deep slot wide enough for a piece of metal that won't twist when you crank on that nut.
But that's me, and I'm not always that sharp. _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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SurfaceRust Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016 Posts: 160 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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I ran into a similar problem when i replaced my front suspension. I went though everything to try to remove it, but just couldn't get it. I didnt want to wreck the shock so I didnt want to just cut it. I solved my problem with a nut splitter. It was super simple and cheap and took only a couple of minutes. Just need to buy a replacement nut.
https://www.amazon.com/Cal-Hawk-Tools-AZNS3P-Split...mp;sr=8-55 |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3054 Location: MD
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Take the seat out, remove the rubber plug, and hit it from the top with an impact gun.
Edit: This is assuming the top is torn up because you already clamped vise grips on it and used a regular wrench to turn it off. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17155 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
Take the seat out, remove the rubber plug, and hit it from the top with an impact gun.
Edit: This is assuming the top is torn up because you already clamped vise grips on it and used a regular wrench to turn it off. |
Only the Syncro had the access hole. _________________ ☮️ |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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jeremypbeasley Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2018 Posts: 164 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Thanks everybody!
I use my Dremel to cut off the bolt, but unfortunately damaged the threaded shaft in the process.
Now I’m at the other side (drivers) and having the same issue.
I’m confused as to the designed and proper way to do this. It doesn’t make sense that there would be a nut could be turned out without a way to secure a tool on the shaft. Any ideas? I’m down to cut some shit up, but I’d rather have that be a last resort. |
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82westyrabbit Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2015 Posts: 969 Location: Ma
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Most shocks have a head on top to put a wrench on but quite often you have to just cut them off. You don’t have to remove shocks to often unless you are replacing them. I am glad to see you got it done. John |
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SyncroHead Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1145 Location: Northern Nevada
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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All the Vanagon front shocks I've used have a threaded shaft on top that has two flat sides to allow using an open-end wrench or a vice grips. You hold the shaft from turning as you turn the nut. Your photos show that your shock shaft has these flat sides, and I assume that's what you used to hold the shaft. looks like it was not up to the force applied and began breaking instead of allowing the nut to turn.
Since you've gone through so much already, I'll ask an admittedly stupid question. Are you turning the nut the proper direction?
Next, there might be considerable force placed on these threads between the shock and the nut if the shock is at full extension. Have you tried jacking upward from the bottom of the shock to relieve some of this thread pressure?
Agreeing with advice above, heat and penetrant like PB Blaster are your friends.
Jim Davis _________________ "A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
sphet wrote: |
I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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There is always some way designed to hold the top of the shaft to tighten or loosen the nut. That does not mean it is always adequate if the nut is stuck on due to corrosion. My shock shaft has a 6mm allen head recessed in it. I have to take a small piece of cut off allen wrench 6mm and an open end wrench to hold the shaft. PITA but it works.
Hmm that may be smaller than 6mm. It has been a while. _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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jeremypbeasley Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2018 Posts: 164 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:31 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Yes, I tried vice grips on the shaft but it bent the metal before it would consistently hold.
There’s no trace of corrosion here, so I’m confused as to why it would be difficult to turn. I’m going to try vice grips again tomorrow, much tighter this time.
There’s so little space to operate the dremel that I don’t want to risk cutting into the shaft again.
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Odd_Dutch Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2011 Posts: 82 Location: The Hague, Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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SyncroHead wrote: |
Next, there might be considerable force placed on these threads between the shock and the nut if the shock is at full extension. Have you tried jacking upward from the bottom of the shock to relieve some of this thread pressure?
Jim Davis |
A while ago this was the trick for me, jack the control arm up with the shock in place. My bolts looked way worse but came off very easy. _________________ 1980 2.0L Tintop - Subaru EJ-20 conversion |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 4002 Location: Maine
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:56 pm Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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jeremypbeasley wrote: |
I’m confused as to the designed and proper way to do this. It doesn’t make sense that there would be a nut could be turned out without a way to secure a tool on the shaft. Any ideas? I’m down to cut some shit up, but I’d rather have that be a last resort. |
After you replace the shocks or nut put a thread protector on them. May save you some other aggravation in the future.
_________________ '15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7757 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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^^^ Great idea, especially if you first grease <or> antisieze the exposed threads ...
Belt+suspenders...
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2797 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:15 am Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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I just had to Sawzall out a shock that had been place for less than 3 years. No visible corrosion but it would not move using a 6mm (I think) wrench as an anchor on those flat points, and, with vise grips, it rounded off. The metal seems very soft and to get the vise grips tight enough, I was deforming the metal.
So yeah- a cover and anti-seize will be used on the replacement. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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a2wolfsburggli Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2018 Posts: 279 Location: WI
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:18 am Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Are you replacing the shocks? If so just cut through the rubber bushing and shaft with a sawzall. Make sure you have replacement bushing of course. that bushing is dry rotted enough that it should be replaced anyway.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8175335 _________________ Current: '87 Westfalia | '16 Audi Q5 3.0T S-Line w/sport package.
Past: '09 CC 3.6L 4motion "R36 wannabe" | '02 Audi TT "ALMS Edition" | '84 Jetta GLI with Autotech Supercharger | '89 Helios Jetta GLI 16v's (x2) | '95.5 URS6 | and the list goes on.
Never underestimate the entertainment value of OCD overruling Common Sense
Last edited by a2wolfsburggli on Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:00 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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For the recessed hex head shock absorber shafts I use a cut down Allen key with a piece of tubing for an extension handle. The 17MM ratching box wrench on the nut lets me swing away with the Allen key.
For the ones with two flats, I use my Citroen bellhousing bolt socket. Who knew that I'd ever find another use for it?!? _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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SurfaceRust Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016 Posts: 160 Location: Los Angeles
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:19 am Post subject: Re: Unable to remove upper front shock nut |
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Sounds like a lot of you guys destroying shocks when a nut splitter would do the job and not damage the shock at all.... just saying |
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