I am trying to change my shocks and ran into a problem with one of the rear upper mount bolts. The nut is rusted so bad I cannot get a wrench on it to hold it. Can anyone give me any ideas of what I can use to get up in this almost impossible area to reach so I can cut the bolt. Also can anyone tell me what size nut/bolt thread/pitch these are so I can replace without having to go to Dodge. One of the Dodge forums I was on has a list of fasteners started in a thread, but I cannot remember which one.
Thanks for looking

 

try an END or CUP brush on a drill to knock off the rust.

 

I had this issue once & ended up using a long chisel & hammer to knock the bolt head off then installed a new 1 At the end of the task. Mine was rusted so bad it broke easily.

 

Thanks, I do have access to some long chisels. Another idea I am toying with I have a multi tool cutter head that I might try to get in there to try to cut it.
Any idea where I can get new hardware from besides Dodge?
I have figured out the long bolts are 14mmx 2.0 x 80mm long. Going to check the nuts for the tower caps now.
Also what is the easiest way to get the front driver's side shock back in around the brake booster? I was able to get it out due to no spring pressure on the old shock, but I am figuring install will be much harder since I will have to compress new shock to get it in.

 

For the rear shock, due to access and being on your back, I'd consider removing the truck bed or raising off the frame. Not much in the way except the fuel filler, which is easy to disconnect.

For the front shock, which i changed mine out a year ago so i might be a bit hazy, but I think I had both tires off so jackstand on passenger side. Used a floor jack to lower driver side and then raise it upon shock/spring placement. I'm sure there's other good ideas people have here. Shock was fed in from bottom going up. Also had the tower mount loose I think.

 

They sure didn't make this easy now did they? Thanks for the suggestions, my new hardware will be here today ($63.50 from Dodge) please send any other ideas if you have more, i will post how it goes tonight.

 

Rear shocks finished, got lucky and was able to break the nut loose without having to cut the bolt. Going to do the front tomorrow.

 

Looking for a quick answer, can somebody tell me the torque of the upper nut for the front shock. I found the lower (100 ft) and the three tower/bracket nuts (35ft), but I cannot find anything for the upper nut.
Thanks

 

Tighten it till you can't tighten it anymore

 

are you talking about the stud on top. its about a 5/16 or 3/8 bolt. so about 35-45 pounds. to hold it still - there should be a large nut welded to the top half of the shock or a tiny flat spot on top of the stud.