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. :banghead:

Gonna have to take this "simple" job to a shop? Ideas welcome.

A good pair of vice grips will do it--- or you can cut the old ones out as most shops do.....

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.

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..

Thx for the Info. I will do the job this weekend and letcha know if I still have fingers.

Deep well socket on the nut and a long extension. Rock it back and forth until the stem breaks.

I agree! 10 seconds (maximum) and it's off! No torch, no special tools, no muss, no fuss.

Even better! Snap, Crackle and POP!
Thanks all. Saves my day!

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

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!

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.

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.