I'm trying to change out the shocks in my '79 F-250 4x4. The old ones are so old, they're mostly rust coloured, and the ones in the back, the top "shroud" was actually so rusted out it was falling apart.
On the back ones, I finally got the bolts out on the lower mounts and managed with a combination of a bolt cutter and brute force to break the shafts so I could get that undone. No matter how much heat, PB Blaster, or anything else I tried, I could not get the nuts at the top to budge. They were fused. I even tried the combination of ATF and acetone someone recommended. No go. Anyway, those are done.

Now to the fronts. Again, the nuts and threads are very rusty, but there are straight bolt ends on both ends, so I can't use the same technique as I did in back, plus there's nowhere near as much room. I can get a wrench on the nuts, but when I turn it, the half of the shock that it's attached to also turns, and I can't figure out how to hold it while I crank on the nut.

If all else fails, I can try what I used on another truck once and use a nut splitter, but it seems like there has to be a better way.

Is there some simple trick I'm missing?

Thanks,

Sean

 

Angle grinder FTW

 

I did consider breaking out the Dremel.

 

... armed with a cut-off wheel!

 

I love cut off wheels/grinders.
Had to use one the other day on my rear leaf install (on the U bolts)
Cures what ails ya.

 

I put a pipe wrench on the body of the shock to stop the turning. It worked for me.

 

Angle grinder and a welder will fix almost any problem! I've had to grind off a lot of rusted nuts and bolts and in most cases it's easier then trying to get them to break torque when they are that old and rusty. But can also try a pipe wrench on the shock as said above and heat the nut with a torch and she should come free. I always find heat works wonders over stuff like pb blaster.

 

Another vote for the angle grinder. I had to cut my back shocks off when i changed them. My grinder is most used power tool. LOL

 

hack saw off the shock rod in the back...cutoff wheel/angle grinder against the nut in the front

 

these might work

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12770769