I'm trying to install my springs, but i'm having a hell of a time trying to get the bottom shock bolt off. I've tried just about everything I could do with my hands. I even tried using PB Blaster and it still wont budge. Is an impact wrench required? Any suggestions?

 

Rear or Front?

Make sure that you have the suspension unloaded, that the jack is under the body/frame, not the lower arm...

 

And an impact wrench has been very usefull in my garage.... I switched out to Konis.. Found the impact wrench very useful...

 

Air tools!

 

I'm talking about the bolt on the front shock. Do I have to unload the spring before taking the bottom bolt off? I actually just bought an impact gun today, but I dont know if I have a big enough tank and CFMs to run it = /

 

You can get it off without unloading, but here is what I found..

I used a floor jack to put pressure on the lower control arm (put a small piece of wood between the floor jack and the control arm, so you do not damage...) Disconnect the control arm (transverse link) from the stabilizar connecting rod.

You can now remove the bolts. You may have to play with the pressure to get the connecting rod out. It will come out once there is no pressure on the bolt...

This allows the transverse link to to drop giving you enough clearance to get the shock/spring in and out...

Be careful... Hope this helps..

 

Like the previous thread said, be careful...

I put the Eibach Pro kit in, and I have always found it easier to remove the whole strut assembly from the car. By this I mean remove the 3 nuts at the top, not the one in the middle, and the bolt at the bottom. Then just lay the strut on the floor and remove the middle nut, the one the is holding the plate on at the top. There is not much pressure from the spring, so it won't go shooting across the floor, but do it pointing away from you just the same. This is where the impact cames in handy. Remember where the 3 studs on the cap are placed when you re-assemble, and then put the middle nut back on and the assembly back in the car. It took about 20 mins to do each side this way.

Good luck!