Help Help Help

[sjs]

Originally posted by garthed:
I have the spring compressed. That bolt will not budge. Will I damage the shock if I use channel locks up high between the springs on the shaft.

Done yet?

If you can't grab it above the shiny part and below the threads, then don't try that method. If it was tight enough to strip out the allen then you won't be able to grab the main shaft tight enough to do the job without gouging it. There simply is no source of friction there. On the other hand, if you can get to an air wrench, then grabbing the shaft lightly with a piece of rubber between it and the pliers might make all the difference if the air tool alone fails. Did you try the counter-locking nuts? That almost always works if there’s room.

[garthed]

I am installing springs on to my 91 NSX and have run into a problem. I am not able to get the spring off of the shock becuase the allen head has rusted and stipped so I have no way of getting the bolt off of the shock to remove the spring. Please help what should I do?

Thanks
Garth

[sjs]

Ouch!! No fun.

Below the threads and above the smooth shaft is a couple of inches of rough cut shaft. Try to reach between the spring coils with a vise grips or big pair of channel locks. This won't be easy because the dust boot is in the way, but it might be possible. I suppose you could sacrifice the boot, but then you would need something to replace it for reassembly.

[nsx4fun]

I would also spray all threads with Liquid Wrench and let it soak for a few hours. It's not a cure all, but sometimes it does the trick.

[sjs]

If you can take it to someone with a compressor and impact wrench, that might get it even though the shaft also turns, but it would need to be a high-speed unit.

Or, take two other nuts that fit the thread and thread them both on if there is room. Now turn the lower one counter-clockwise and the top one clockwise and lock them tightly together. Then put a wrench on the top one and brace it while you loosen the original nut. Once it's loose you should be able to walk it on up this way.

Good luck.


[This message has been edited by sjs (edited 06 April 2002).]

[sjs]

BTW, do you have something to keep the springs from flying across the room when you get the nut loose? They aren't compressed much, but enough to put a big dent in you car or your head. In a real pinch (my poor days) I've actually used wire shirt hangers wrapped through the coils and twisted at the ends. Three or four of those hold pretty well. (Did I really admit to that?) Hopefully you have a spring compressor.

[garthed]

I have the spring compressed. That bolt will not budge. Will I damage the shock if I use channel locks up high between the springs on the shaft.

[Larry Bastanza]

Be really careful about grabbing the shaft. It is really hard to get to any place with it assembled, that won't cause some damage.

The absolute easiest way is to just use an air gun. It will take a total of 4 seconds to get the nut off, without holding it. Even if you have to take them down to your local garage it is worth it.

HTH,
LarryB

[garthed]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up using vice grips on the very top of the shaft. It gouged them a little but that part of the shaft never goes into the shock. The gouge is were the rubber stopper things is I don't know what that thing is called. So I should be ok. If not time to buy new shocks. Thanks again for all the help. There was not enough room to put two nuts on it and try it that way. The car looks great.

Should I go get the car aligned right away or should I wait for the springs to settle.