Unable to remove upper front shock nut

[jeremypbeasley]

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.

[VicVan]

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)

[levi]

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

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[SurfaceRust]

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

[4Gears4Tires]

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

[MarkWard]

[dobryan]

Although if needed you can create one....
_________________
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

[jeremypbeasley]

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.

[82westyrabbit]

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

[SyncroHead]

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
_________________
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[dobryan]

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

[jeremypbeasley]

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.

[dobryan]

The shaft threaded portion has very little stress on it. It is in compression mostly. Some small nicks will not sacrifice function.
_________________
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

[Odd_Dutch]

[Timwhy]

[dhaavers]

^^^ 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>

[mikemtnbike]

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

[a2wolfsburggli]

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
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Current: '87 Westfalia | '16 Audi Q5 3.0T S-Line w/sport package.

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Never underestimate the entertainment value of OCD overruling Common Sense

[Jake de Villiers]

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?!?
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'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
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http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[SurfaceRust]

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