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[tunnie]

What mm is the top bolt for the rear shock? - Any tips for removing it?

As I'm changing the rear springs soon, I'm going to change the shock too. When I attempted this last time I could not get any grip on the very small top stock bolt. Its something like 4mm?

I put an adjustable on it, but it always slipped off 

[Varche]

I had the same problem.

In the end what worked for me was to grip the top washer with a pair of curved jaw mole grips. I guess the washer was stuck/rusted to the shocker.

Edit top nut is 6 mm, well it is on my s/l shocks

[RobG]

Easier inside the car with seats down

[tunnie]

some plonker put an LPG tank in my boot 

I put mole grips on it too last time, again slipped off. If its 6mm I'll hunt around for a spanner that size 

[feeutfo]

Iirc.... :-/

Had similar issue on TB's car, so used mole grips on the plastic gater to hold the shaft still from the wheel arch, while an assistant used an air ratchet on the bigger top securing nut(nyloc jobby is it?) from inside the boot. It buggered the gater, but if your fitting new shocks who cares.

Maybe nip round to The Groomer for some.... "assistance" 

[Andy H]

Cheap adjustable spanners seem to be designed to fail. Only useful as paperweights in my experience.

I have a Bahco adjustable spanner which had no problem holding the top mount on the last 3 occasions I changed VX rear shock absorbers

[tunnie]

Thanks Chaps 

Not looking forward to that "Payment Stage" by The Groomer 

[TheBoy]

Thanks Chaps 

Not looking forward to that "Payment Stage" by The Groomer 

Oi, my name isn't Geoff....

[Lazydocker]

Thanks Chaps 

Not looking forward to that "Payment Stage" by The Groomer 

Oi, my name isn't Geoff....

PMSL

[feeutfo]

Thanks Chaps 

Not looking forward to that "Payment Stage" by The Groomer 

Oi, my name isn't Geoff....

PMSL

Geofreeeeey.....
 

[tunnie]

Such children!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Iirc.... :-/

Had similar issue on TB's car, so used mole grips on the plastic gater to hold the shaft still from the wheel arch, while an assistant used an air ratchet on the bigger top securing nut(nyloc jobby is it?) from inside the boot. It buggered the gater, but if your fitting new shocks who cares.

Maybe nip round to The Groomer for some.... "assistance" 

Oh dear ....I see.

[Agemo]

The nut is no problem, you have to hold the rod which has two flats. Last time I struggled, I unbolted my vice from the bench & used that in a "death grip", that showed it who was boss. (Actually the rod snapped, so wouldn't have come undone anyway).  Good job I was renewing the shock.

[albitz]

I now have the same problem with my car.Just went to undo my o/s shock and someone has been there before me, the top part which had 2 flats is all chewed up. Tried mole grips on the gaiter and on the damping rod itself but the rod still turns when I turn the spanner on the top.Im at work, so tools are a bit limited, will probably leave it until tomorrow - at home in daylight, but having said that Im still not sure what I can do there, apart from having several different shapes/sizes of mole grips. One of which might just hold the rod better. :-/

[RobG]

I now have the same problem with my car.Just went to undo my o/s shock and someone has been there before me, the top part which had 2 flats is all chewed up. Tried mole grips on the gaiter and on the damping rod itself but the rod still turns when I turn the spanner on the top.Im at work, so tools are a bit limited, will probably leave it until tomorrow - at home in daylight, but having said that Im still not sure what I can do there, apart from having several different shapes/sizes of mole grips. One of which might just hold the rod better. :-/

As you`re replacing them use a 4" grinder