'69 front shock removal

[Chris H.]

I'd like to remove the front shocks for detailing, etc. Is there a method or tool that I can use to hold the shaft while I loosen / remove the nut? The top of the shaft is an oval shape and doesn't lend itself to be held by a wrench, etc.

It's going to require a fair amount force to loosen and unthread the nut and I don't want to butcher the shaft.

All ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

I'd like to remove the front shocks for detailing, etc. Is there a method or tool that I can use to hold the shaft while I loosen / remove the nut? The top of the shaft is an oval shape and doesn't lend itself to be held by a wrench, etc.

It's going to require a fair amount force to loosen and unthread the nut and I don't want to butcher the shaft.

All ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris

Chris------


There's no special tool that I'm aware of. As it appears in your photo and as I vaguely recall, the top of the shaft is kind of a "tri-flat" design. I think there is a 12 point socket (size ??) that will fit this and allow you to prevent the shaft from rotating while you turn the nut.

Many shocks have a simple flat on two sides of the top. You can use an open end wrench (size ??) or a crescent wrench to hold these.

By the way, is this an original shock installation? What is the size across-the-flats of the retaining nut?

[Dennis S.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

Try soaking the nut and threads with penetrant and let sit overnight. Then use a deep socket and an air gun. If that doesn't work, then you are going to need to hold the shaft with a vise grips and work the nut with an open-end wrench. I took my original shocks out after 35 years with no problem. Bought new Delcos to enjoy driving with and put the originals in the boxes. The next caretaker can do whatever his/her little heart desires.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

Chris------


There's no special tool that I'm aware of. As it appears in your photo and as I vaguely recall, the top of the shaft is kind of a "tri-flat" design. I think there is a 12 point socket (size ??) that will fit this and allow you to prevent the shaft from rotating while you turn the nut.

Many shocks have a simple flat on two sides of the top. You can use an open end wrench (size ??) or a crescent wrench to hold these.

By the way, is this an original shock installation? What is the size across-the-flats of the retaining nut?

Pair of Vise Grips on the flat works beautifully. Whole lot easier than trying to keep a wrench on the shock. The socket you are referring to works well with an air wrench. Most of the time you can bring the nut off without holding the shock.

[Chris H.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

I tried holding it with vice grips and there's too much resistance from corrosion on the threads. I don't have an air gun so I'm going to use penetrating oil and that Snap On socket.

Dick, do you have a part number / description for that socket? I'll get one from my neighbor who sells Snap On.

Joe, these are the original F41 shocks and I'll take a measurement of the nut when I get them off.

Thanks, Chris

[Greg L.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

I have a tool just like this one http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=15179 but it's made by KD or maybe Klein Tools.

It works well and I've never had a problem removing shocks with it.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

I tried holding it with vice grips and there's too much resistance from corrosion on the threads. I don't have an air gun so I'm going to use penetrating oil and that Snap On socket.

Dick, do you have a part number / description for that socket? I'll get one from my neighbor who sells Snap On.

Joe, these are the original F41 shocks and I'll take a measurement of the nut when I get them off.

Thanks, Chris

A-137 for 1/4 width of the flat and A-138 for the 15/64's width of the flat. They used to make these in 1/2" drive as I have both the 3/8" and 1/2" drives but they do not list them in the catalog now. I have found that there are things in the dealer catalog that are not in the web catalog. There are quite a bit of price variations on various items

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

A-137 & A138 & A139 are listed in the on-line Snappy catalog for 3/8 drive. I was looking just yesterday. The A139 is a metric tool. The others are a Dick stated. That shape of socked is called a double-D shape -- and get your mind on tools, nothing else.

KD also makes a tool KD #465 that has a variety of double-D holes in one end for this purpose, but it is more awkward to use than the Snappy tool.

I have found a socket and ratchet with a hole in the center works great for the nut in these circumstances. You can get those at Sears, among other places. Or use a ratcheting box wrench for the nut. In either case the shaft is exposed so you can hold it with the shock absorber socket.

[Bob J.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

I tried holding it with vice grips and there's too much resistance from corrosion on the threads. I don't have an air gun so I'm going to use penetrating oil and that Snap On socket.

Dick, do you have a part number / description for that socket? I'll get one from my neighbor who sells Snap On.

Joe, these are the original F41 shocks and I'll take a measurement of the nut when I get them off.

Thanks, Chris

Chris, be sure to hold the shock and turn the nut.
In the 80s I watched a guy hold the nut and spin the shock with an air gun and the shaft came out of the shock.
I remember this because those were F41 shocks also. Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

Good point Bob. Even if the shaft doesn't come out of the body of the shock, most new shocks caution against rotating the shaft due to the potential of seal damage.

[Steven G.]

Re: '69 front shock removal

Snap-on A-137 (1/4") fits standard gm shocks on C-3's that I have in my garage, probably the most popular size on gm's of that era. Steve