2005 Rear shock bottom bolt issue - cannot get out

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mpilihp
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:36 am
Location: Maine

2005 Rear shock bottom bolt issue - cannot get out

Postby mpilihp » Thu Jun 04, 2020 6:31 am

So trying to replace the shocks and one bottom bolt is frozen in the nut and the nut is spinning. The issue is the nut has a locking tab that is supposed to keep it in place but has stripped past the tab and no room to get a wrench on it.

How have people dealt with this in the past?

Your suggestions are appreciated !!

~ Phil


CRC11007
Posts: 32
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:14 am
Location: Monument, CO

Postby CRC11007 » Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:19 pm

I ended up using my sawzall/cutoff wheel/dremel and cut off the bracket that captures the nut. Even after I cut it out, I still had to soak it with penetrant and use a torch to heat the nut and finally get it off with the impact gun. It was a chore, for sure.

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smj999smj
Site Admin
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Postby smj999smj » Fri Jun 05, 2020 2:35 am

Same here, sawzall or torch... Good times... :roll:

mpilihp
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:36 am
Location: Maine

Postby mpilihp » Fri Jun 05, 2020 2:54 am

OK thanks, so cut off/remove the tab that is supposed to hold the nut in place.

The other side was painful to get the bolt out of the shock and Im assuming this side will be too, I plan on using the sawsall to cut the bolt off as well.

Gonna take a long time!

Thank you

~ Phil

silverarrow27
Posts: 414
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
Location: Banning, CA

Re: 2005 Rear shock bottom bolt issue - cannot get out

Postby silverarrow27 » Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:39 am

I had to do something similar to this on my front control arms on my Frontier about a year ago. Go with a nice expensive blade like Diablo from Home Depot. Don't cheap out and go with something from Harbor Freight. Don't ask me how I know.

mpilihp
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:36 am
Location: Maine

Re: 2005 Rear shock bottom bolt issue - cannot get out

Postby mpilihp » Tue Jun 09, 2020 7:53 am

So I got a couple expensive blades that are $12 each, specially tipped and I was able to cut the bolt on both sides of the shock with one blade!

All set and rides great, I did Blistiens and Moog replacement springs.

~ Phil

silverarrow27
Posts: 414
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:40 am
Location: Banning, CA

Re: 2005 Rear shock bottom bolt issue - cannot get out

Postby silverarrow27 » Tue Jun 09, 2020 9:18 am

Good job!

Those cheap blades I was talking about from Harbor Freight...I went through six "top of the line" HF blades that couldn't cut through one bolt. And same as you, put the one expensive blade on and it cuts like butter and quickly!


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