I'm in the process of installing a TF 2.5" coil lift on a 2dr 2007 JK Rubicon. I got the rear done with basically no issues. I'm moving on to the front now and am stuck at the first step. I'm trying to get the top of the front shocks unbolted and I've about given myself a stroke doing it. I've got a 9/16th's wrench gripping the top of the shock tube, then I've weaseled a 9/16" ratcheting wrench onto the top nut.

I've then proceeded to work that wrench as hard as I can. I've made some progress but it's incredibly slow going. I've hit it with PB blaster and let that soak but so far still no joy. Is there any way to get a socket onto the top so I can get a breaker bar in? Should I lift the front axle with a jack to take pressure off the top nut? Am I working the wrong parts?

Anyhoo, any advice (including "you're doing it right, just push harder") would be appreciated.

thanks

 

I've had no problems removing the front shocks although it is slow going because you can't get anything to fit in there but an open wrench. I thing there is a way to get to that top nut thru the engine bay but you have to remove other stuff to get to it so I just did it one turn at a time. Now the only thing I can think of that may have made the nut easier to break was that I had it lifted on jacks so the compressed weight of the vehicle was off it. I would try it lifted and see if it's easier to get off then.

 

Last lift I did I ended up just snapping both bolts. It can be a painfull process, just be patient.

 

Slow and steady is about all you can do. I used one of those gear type wrenches which made the job a breeze

 

Yes, think Gearwrench.

 

Yep I used one like that with a flex head

 

Putting the other wrench on the nut on top of the tube is the right thing to do, right? The Haynes manual says something about putting a vise grip on top of the stud and working the nut under it... that just seems impossible without disassembling half the engine compartment.

 

Use a gear wrench as in the pics above, on the nut. Then use whatever you want to hold shock from turning.

 

Roger that. That's what I was doing. I wanted to make sure I was on the right track. I sheared the stud off a volvo 1800 that I'm restoring, and wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing before I nuked my JK's shocks too. Hopefully between PB blaster and some elbow grease I'll get them out.

 

Good luck to ya!