hey the pinch bolt on my shock fork will not budge not with a breaker bar or anything.. the socket just torques then slips off!! any suggestions please I am trying to fix my broken spring in my 1991 accord..

I am almost ready to grind off the fork and get a new one at the wreckers!!!.. i need to get this shock out asap

this is a picture of the bolt that needs to come off (NOT MY CAR>> but the same bolt)

 

is there some way to get the shock and spring assembly out without removing the fork?

like dropping the hub down some how? if so how?

please help!!

 

if i remember correctly that bolt is only threaded on the end and the rest is smooth. try just prying it straight out

you can push the whole thing down with your foot somewhat. i dont know if it will give you enough clearance to get the spring/shock out.

 

have you tried soaking the bolt in PB blaster? that should work. I've never had to remove the shock with the fork still connected.
However here is what I'd do:
1. You will need to detach the upper arm to the knuckle by removing the 17mm nut and use a balljoint removal tool. If you don't have one, loosen the nut til it is flush on the threads (this is to prevent any mushrooming) then use a large hammer to pound it out.
2. Remove the sway bar endlink.
3. Remove the 3 nuts at the top of the shock. Push down and try to remove shock/fork assembly, paying close attention to the brake line. If it isn't coming out and the brake line looks like it has tension, then remove the brake caliper.
4. If it still can't come out. Next thing to remove would be the tie rod, then axle. With tie rod and axle removed, i'm positive it will come out.

Good luck!

 

wd-40

 

take out the upper control arm, then have someone stand on the brake/hub assembly. Be carefull not to damage the paint. Then soak that bolt in PB blaster, let it sink in for a minute. with the entire shock assemble on the ground carefully, and slowly back the bolt out with the 14mm socket, don't use a breaker bar, or you will break it.

if the shock is not OEM, there is sometimes a piece that gets "pinched" in there. That causes the bolt to not come our

 

wd 40 isnt a remover.....its hardly a lubricant for bolts like that, it cant penitrate to loosen as its not desighned to like a liquid wrench...its purpous is to drive moisture out

 

you can try and drop it from the top and see if that works.

 

Try a product called " BOLT OUT" it's a heavy duty penetrating oil. It's avaiable at most bearing shops. You apply the "Bolt out" to the bolt or nut and hit it to set up a vibration, this vibration allows the penetratin oil to soak through. It works like a charm, I've used many times to get out ols rusty bolts and nuts.

 

pb blaster/ liquid wrench/ bolt out are all good for this, wd-40 is worthless.

when I get a stuck bolt I like to heat it up with a torch, and then spray it down good with pb blaster let it soak for a minute, spray it again and then whack it real good with a bfh and let it soak for a few more minutes.

if you have access to them, hit it with air tools. sometimes a bolt that is just starting to round off won't slip with an impact gun. you can also just put the breaker bar on and hit the end of it wiht a hammer. it's not the same as an impact gun but it's the same idea.

you can get it out wiht the fork on, at least on a 99 you can. I had to put the spring compressor on the springs to shorten them some and then it came out ok.

 

best thing you can do is to heat it up with a torch..

 

Use a cresent wrench on the inside of the bolt and then use a socket wrench on the bolt. As you are turning the socket wrench, put force putward using the cresent wrench.

 

UPDATE!

thanks for all the suggestions guys I am really thankful..

I got the job done and changed my spring.. I offically hate cars and hate doing suspension work.. god I am so greesey and sweaty and tired right now and my back is in such pain.. but the job is done..

How'd I get the bolt out eventually? well I splurged and bought this tool.. and man I owe my life to it.. thank you mastercraft for helping my life.



Mastercraft Extract-it 5-piece Set

* Made with chromium molybdenum steel
* Unique internal spiral design grips the nut/bolt for easy removal of rounded, damaged or rusted fasteners quickly and easily
* With a hole through the extractor you can reach over bolts or long studs
* Includes carrying case
* Lifetime warranty


Price $29.99

Cheers all

 

Just a little cheaper solution that I've had work for me is, you take a slightly smaller socket (like the slightly smaller metric or american equivalent) and beat it on with a BFH, since the bolt is already stripped it usually makes a pretty tight grip (you arent getting this socket back so hopefully it was an extra), and usually you can use a breakerbar or an impact to get it out. Preferably, the later one.

 

Very interesting tool. Might have to check it out.

 

its a great tool to add to the box..

The hammering a smaller socket on trick would have worked if the had enough clearance to actaully swing a nice hammer..

I didnt have faith in the tool.. I even said to the clerk "when this fails to work can i bring it back" LOL

check it out

http://www.canadiantire.ca - for the americans out there.. mastercraft is only sold in canada I think..?? and i would say its about equal to dewalt or powerbuilt.. like its great quality with the life time warenty i will have no problems if every tool in my box for the rest of my life is mastercraft lol