Shock absorber replacement nightmare
I was humbled today by a normally simple maintenance job on my 1994 33’ Holiday Rambler. So far I haven’t even been able to remove nut #1 on the front passenger side shock absorber. I’ve done nearly a...
Forum Discussion
Thanks everyone for throwing out ideas.
The problem is even after I get this one nut off I have seven more to go, 4 shock absorbers = 8 nuts & bolts. The one I’ve been trying to remove is an easy one. I agree that’s it’s not a bad idea to have a truck garage do it, however I can’t afford to be running off to a mechanic at $110/hour every time my RV has an owie. Especially since it’s a tool issue and not knowledge issue. I figure money spent on tools now will pay dividends in the future when I have to take the next super-size rusted fastener apart. Besides, it’s now become a quest, LOL!
I’ve used a nut splitter before, they can work pretty well, however a few of the other nuts are not accessible enough. I’d like to use something where one tool would do them all. My small oxyacetylene torch, as feeble as it is, will generate enough heat to melt steel so I may try it, along with a 3/4” drive breaker bar, before I spend the money renting a cutting torch and just torching the bolts off. I’ll mix up some the 50/50 acetone/ATF penetrating oil aka “Ed’s Red” to use on the various parts along with the heat.
Since I took the front wheel off I was able to check the front rotors and caliper assemblies, at least they look to be in good shape. However, the flexible brake line looked pretty shot and so I will need replace the flexible lines all around the vehicle.
Steve
The problem is even after I get this one nut off I have seven more to go, 4 shock absorbers = 8 nuts & bolts. The one I’ve been trying to remove is an easy one. I agree that’s it’s not a bad idea to have a truck garage do it, however I can’t afford to be running off to a mechanic at $110/hour every time my RV has an owie. Especially since it’s a tool issue and not knowledge issue. I figure money spent on tools now will pay dividends in the future when I have to take the next super-size rusted fastener apart. Besides, it’s now become a quest, LOL!
I’ve used a nut splitter before, they can work pretty well, however a few of the other nuts are not accessible enough. I’d like to use something where one tool would do them all. My small oxyacetylene torch, as feeble as it is, will generate enough heat to melt steel so I may try it, along with a 3/4” drive breaker bar, before I spend the money renting a cutting torch and just torching the bolts off. I’ll mix up some the 50/50 acetone/ATF penetrating oil aka “Ed’s Red” to use on the various parts along with the heat.
Since I took the front wheel off I was able to check the front rotors and caliper assemblies, at least they look to be in good shape. However, the flexible brake line looked pretty shot and so I will need replace the flexible lines all around the vehicle.
Steve
