'99 S 70 Rear Shock Change

Post by **E Showell** » 01 Jul 2015, 10:01

Shane -- it is a cap nut so it doesn't appear to be rusted, but the simple fact is I have been unable to budge it notwithstanding that I can't actually see any rust.

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 01 Jul 2015, 10:57

Forgot I saw cap nut. Hard to soak that. Maybe dremel a little before the new nut buster comes and that may make it easier. I haven't looked at the location as to how hard/easy it is to get to. I'm with you on not wanting to get to much heat in that area. Be safe and go slow, you will win.
Shane

Post by **cn90** » 01 Jul 2015, 11:26

Usually, it is the Red Loctite from factory that becomes very very sticky after years in service.
If you see the photos I posted in the DIY Shock Absorber, you will see the factory Red Loctite.
Even Loctite technical manual says to use heat to soften up the Loctite.

Post by **E Showell** » 01 Jul 2015, 13:52

Have my Dremel -- heading for Lowes for a cut-off wheel.

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jul 2015, 05:24

Did some cutting and loosening with a wrench last night. If not for having to rescue my wife who locker herself out of her car, I would have had the time to completely remove the by now well-mangled nut.

Based on sound and visual observation, I have probably been loosening the nut all along, but just didn't believe it based on the nut being somewhat rounded and the creaking/groaning sound coming with each turn, plus the fact that I can only get about a 16th of a turn out of each movement of the socket wrench.

I can see the amount of exposed threads increasing and should have the nut off today. So far, I don't think i've even come close to nicking the stud threads with the Dremel and the threads look to be in very good condition.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Jul 2015, 07:09

Once it starts moving PB blaster will get in there...hit it again

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jul 2015, 14:13

It is off and the new shock is on. I am convinced it was the Loctite that really made it tough as there was no evidence of rust/corrosion anywhere.

Post by **MrAl** » 02 Jul 2015, 21:16

Hi,

When did they start using Loctite on nuts and bolts on cars?
My older cars never had any of that stuff and no bolts ever came loose that i can remember.

That would explain why the rust penetrate stuff didnt have any effect.

On an unrelated note, a bear tried to attack a child in your home town (LV) recently. Apparently the mother grabbed the child while the father grabbed the bear's leg, and got bit in the face and leg.
They wont let anyone shoot the bear unless it commits a certain aggressive act, so you should keep a look out.
I think somebody there should take South Park's advice:
"It's comin' right for us!" BANG
The only thing i dont like more than killing wildlife is wildlife killing us.

Post by **E Showell** » 03 Jul 2015, 04:30

Al, thanks for the heads up. We had a bear in the trash a few weeks back. I know they are around since I live in the forest and see one in the backyard every 3-5 years. They've destroyed 2 bird feeders over the years. I try to avoid them.

I am more convinced than ever it was the Loctite that made it tough for me to remove that rear shock nut. I guess I'm going to heat the other side quite a bit hoping to make removal easier. Despite some Dremel work on the nut, it was old fashioned wrench work that got it off.

Post by **E Showell** » 04 Jul 2015, 05:37

As difficult as the driver side was, not counting the time involved in letting the PB Blaster do its thing and "tapping" the captive nuts for the topside shock mount, the passenger side was as easy to do as the driver side was difficult. Out with the old and in with the new in less than a half hour.

If, however, you do not heed cn90's advice to remove the top shock mount bolts with great care, you could be spending a lot of time drilling out snapped bolts. I put anti-seize on the for next time/next owner when I reinstalled the shock mount bolts.

Suspension is now pin sharp and the handling is great. This is the first time I've gone with the Koni FSDs and, as they say in Oregon, they're a bit "spendy," but the ride is fantastic.