Hi,

I'm trying to take my front shock off. Can I take it off without a spring compressor? Does the spring just stay attached? The bottom bolt is proving difficult to pull out of the hole. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

You will need a strut compressor to get off the front strut. The bottom bolt is most likely trying to extend further, causing friction between the bolt and the hole. You can push up on the bottom of the strut as you attempt to get the bolt out (that should let it slide right out).

 

Ok. Thanks. The tech manual makes this look real simple. Remove a few bolts, baddabing. Not so much. I had all the bolts off but gave up. I tried pushing it up but not whole-heartedly. Wonder if I should try again with a strut compressor? Beside removing the sway bar link, will I be able to pull the shock assembly out?

 

I took my strut off by unbolting tie rods and strut and it dropped down enough

 

You can take your front shock off with compressing the spring. If you want to replace the shock, you will have to compress the spring to get it off the old shock

 

I was able to take mine off without compressing the spring, separated the steering knuckle from the lower control arm which allowed enough droop to get it out. If you haven't been already start soaking that bolt in PB blaster or some other penetrating oil now, it doesn't like to come out easily.

 

Yea i was working till 12 AM on my damn leveling kit because of those bolts

 

Please remember that those springs are under tremendous pressure. If you do it wrong, they can disfigure you pretty good. Once you get the strut assembly removed, you might just want to take it to a shop to have them re-install the new shocks. That part is pretty cheap.

 

Good point and it does have me nervous but I only want to take the strut assembly out (spring attached). It appears that I can do this fairly safe.

Thanks everyone.

 

Yep you can do that safely without much issue (besides the lower shock bolt!). Obviously make sure you use jackstands. I usually undo the bottom of the swaybar link to make getting the shock out easier. In fact I am not sure if you can get it out without undoing the swaybar link? Probably can, but I found it much easier this way.