Yesterday I wrote a thread "Frustrated" as I was having problems replacing my pitman arm and front shocks. Well I have successfully completed my project.
I broke a cheap, Harbor Freight, pitman arm puller. I rented another from Auto Zone and I got the arm off and replaced with minimal difficulty. I believe the penetrating oil helped a bit.

The passenger shock was a real pain. These shocks are the originals, therefore 10 years old. The lower bolt was rusted within the sleeve in the shock bushing. Using a cut-off tool, I had to cut the shock in half for movement and cut the eye in half to remove the shock. I then had to cut all the rubber off the sleeve. I heated the sleeve with a torch and was finally able to beat the bolt out.
I bought a new bolt and the new shock is in. These are Monroe Reflex, by the way.

I am very relieved to have this done. Not only because it's supposed to rain tomorrow, but it is a great feeling of accomplishment.
BTW, the steering response is much improved. I used to have about 2 inches of play in the wheel. Now there is none!

 

Awesome man!

I live for that feeling of accomplishment after a job well done.

 

Good Job Gene.

Next time take some pics & post them

Jeff

 

I had the same problem with the passenger shock, which I had to cut using a sawzall. To prevent future removal problems, I coated the bolt with anti-seize.

 

Nice job. I've always believed that for tools and everything else, buy the best that you can afford, don't go the cheap route. If you can't afford as good as you need, beg/borrow/rent what you need until you can afford it.

While doing a new roof over the back patio on a previous house I burnt out 2 new SKilsaw circular saws ($30 each). I then went and bought a new Dewalt for $125. At that time my wife got frustrated that I spent that much in it when there were plenty available for $30. Well, to make a long story short, that was 15 years ago and I still have the Dewalt and it works perfect even after a new deck, a new shed, new roof sheathing on the parents garage, and the finishing of the basement in our current home.

 

True dat! I learned to buy Quality tools and not [b]KW[/]ality tools. I had bad luck with Chicago Electric tools from Harbor Freight: the sawzall literally fell apart in my hands; the heat gun petered out in a matter of hours; and the sander sputtered and quit. All were Chicago Electric.

The DeWalt sawzall I bought has four blade positions and has been trouble free in 4 years of ownership