04-24-2008, 10:21 PM
|
#1
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
This turns out to be a minor nightmare! No way to hold shock stem AND loosen/remove upper stem nut. The stem just spins. 
Gonna have to take this "simple" job to a shop? Ideas welcome.
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 07:57 AM
|
#2
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: troy, Ohio
Posts: 1,094
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
A good pair of vice grips will do it--- or you can cut the old ones out as most shops do.....
__________________
Automotive A/C Engineer with:
'95 Chev 3500, 454 Dually Crew Cab- 145k miles- Wife's Camel trailer puller.
'94 Astro- 370k miles
'94 Firebird Formula- 5.7L 180k miles- gone- blown head gasket
'92 Chevy Lumina Van 3.8L 264k miles
'86 GMC S-15 - 2.8L 154k miles
'86 Buick Park Ave 3.8L 199k miles- my daily driver
'77 Chevy Vega- 2.5L 175k miles gone but not forgotten
'68 Camaro 396 4 spd RS/SS -72k miles- my high school car!!
All but the Camaro and Firebird are white....
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 11:32 AM
|
#3
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by brcidd
A good pair of vice grips will do it--- or you can cut the old ones out as most shops do.....
|
I can't vice grip the stem AND put a wrench (or socket) on the nut at the same place (on top of stem). I will take your advice however. I found I can JUST reach the shock stem with the vice grips through the coil springs. Hope this works.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 11:57 AM
|
#4
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: troy, Ohio
Posts: 1,094
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
That's how I do it- through the coils-- you will twist off the top of stem about half the time...........so what it comes out easier.....that way..
__________________
Automotive A/C Engineer with:
'95 Chev 3500, 454 Dually Crew Cab- 145k miles- Wife's Camel trailer puller.
'94 Astro- 370k miles
'94 Firebird Formula- 5.7L 180k miles- gone- blown head gasket
'92 Chevy Lumina Van 3.8L 264k miles
'86 GMC S-15 - 2.8L 154k miles
'86 Buick Park Ave 3.8L 199k miles- my daily driver
'77 Chevy Vega- 2.5L 175k miles gone but not forgotten
'68 Camaro 396 4 spd RS/SS -72k miles- my high school car!!
All but the Camaro and Firebird are white....
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 12:30 PM
|
#5
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Thx for the Info. I will do the job this weekend and letcha know if I still have fingers.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 06:00 PM
|
#6
|
|
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central, Nebraska
Posts: 1,133
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Deep well socket on the nut and a long extension. Rock it back and forth until the stem breaks.
__________________
CD Smalley
1991 W41 #142
1995 Astro
1989 Caprice 9C1
1997 C1500
1977-90 GM B-Body email list Owner @ yahoogroups.com
In the recovery room: b-body.org...
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 08:16 PM
|
#7
|
|
Advisor/Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Belleville, Michigan
Posts: 2,963
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
I agree! 10 seconds (maximum) and it's off! No torch, no special tools, no muss, no fuss.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2008, 09:53 PM
|
#8
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Even better! Snap, Crackle and POP!
Thanks all. Saves my day!
|
|
|
|
|
05-20-2008, 10:45 PM
|
#9
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Florida, Florida
Posts: 9
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Loose the lower bolts first. Pull the shock from the bottom side toward the floor. That will give you more clearance to hold the stem through the coils with a vicegrip, then with a deep socket, remove the stem nut. When installing, do the upper side first, hold the stem gently with the vicegrip, then do the lower 2 bolts last. I will apply some hi loctite on these bolts.
Hope it helps
__________________
Safari_Man
|
|
|
|
|
05-20-2008, 11:52 PM
|
#10
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
TY Safari Man. As suggested, I used a deep socket and an extension and rocked the stem till it broke off. ALL other methods failed to work. Tried 'em all over 3 Sunday afternoons. Bummer, but they are now installed. Thanks for suggesting loc-tite. Great idea!
|
|
|
|
|
05-21-2008, 04:45 PM
|
#11
|
|
Advisor/Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Belleville, Michigan
Posts: 2,963
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Loctite will make disassembly even more difficult in the future. If anything, use anti-seize on the threads. Using vice-grips on the piston of the new shocks will damage the surface and cause the upper seal to leak. Install the lower bolts, then tighten the upper nut until the grommets squash out. If the piston shaft turns while tightening, (rare) hold the shaft with a wrench.
|
|
|
|
|
05-21-2008, 06:04 PM
|
#12
|
|
AF Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Posts: 6
|
Re: 97 Astro ... Replace Front Shocks. Hmmmmmmm?
Gentlemen, this is a great place to get answers! I agree old_master. Anti-sieze sounds right. What does anyone suggest to keep rust from forming over the years.
|
|
|
|
|
