pickle fork size
- Thread starter dacoach
- Start date
Some use a pit arm puller or a pickle fork to get the bottom arm off. Just did not know the size. 15/16 or 1 1/8.
Since I have more vehicles to do in the future I bought a otc clam style spring compressor. Man is that thing heavy duty.
Dacoach
Since I have more vehicles to do in the future I bought a otc clam style spring compressor. Man is that thing heavy duty.
Dacoach
You might be able to get by if you have a really big flathead screw driver, and tap the back side with a mallet/hammer..
And many folks get it off by hitting the mount at right angles to the pin in the lower control arm, to shock the taper fitting into jumping right off the pin. I use the pittman arm usually, with a little hammer tap once slight pressure is on the fitting.
I just did mine and that all I used. Driver side was a hell of a lot easier but the passenger side wasn't too difficult.BlazingTrails said:
Actually it is very easy. I've done it on 3 different Tb's. You should try it before you knock it.
I meant the OP is doing it the hard way, darn printed media misinterpreting my thoughts.BlazingTrails said:
I have seen a lot of people who just take the lower shock off the pinch bolt that connects the strut to the lower control arm. I myself found it a lot easier to loosen up the bolts that secure the upper shock mount to the frame from inside the engine bay but keep the nuts attached a few threads. I then just took a small handheld sledge hammer and gave a few good hits on the shock mount and then a few gentle blows with the hammer on the dampener with the nut on the end to not gall the threads up and it broke free. Keeping the nuts on a little in the engine bay where it secures to the frame prevents the shock from free falling if you are hitting it without the bolt on the lower control arm connection. It was a huge PITA to get my stock shocks out of the pinch bolt so that is why I opted to take the whole assembly out and replace them so I could beat the living hell out of the stock shock to get it to release from the pinch bolt.
Yeah but with the shock held at the top, all you gotta do it pull the bolt from the pinch point, tap a wedge in the gap, and push down on the knuckle. I can literally take my shocks out in 10 minutes. You don't have to beat on anything....
Its the smaller about 12 inch long pickle fork. Really simple and takes less than 10 minutes.
i have done both ways multiple times and always remove it all now. I do use some anti-seize on the lower mount so it helps and the first time may be a bitch
i have done both ways multiple times and always remove it all now. I do use some anti-seize on the lower mount so it helps and the first time may be a bitch
If I ever replace mine again, I'll try leaving the lower arm on and sliding the shock body up and out. I like that approach.