Rusted Shock Nut

[Kevin Lang]

The bushings on my RSX 5000 shocks have gone MIA after a little over 2 years of being installed (~39,000 miles). I bought some new Energy Suspension bushings to slap in there, but the nut on the top of the shock is rusted to the shock rod/bolt fiercely.



The rust is strong enough that when I lock on Vise-Grips to the top of the rod (as of course the thing rotates when you torque it) that when I try to break the nut free, the vise-grips are knocked off before the nut breaks free. Sadly, no socket I have can actually fit the shock bolt top. I knew they wouldn't, but it was worth a shot.



Any tips on how to deal with this? I blasted the things the other day with WD40 (It's the best I've got), and no luck as of yet. I'll keep trying that route, unless there's something I'm missing.

 

[EddieS'04]

Try heat with a torch on the nut. Or if you can borrow a nut spliter and chase the threads with a thead chaser. Then use a new nut.

 

[RedRanger 7]

U could also try a propane torch, and maybe some PB Blaster, I hear that stuff is better at soaking into rusted parts :fire: .

Dave :banghead:

 

[David Ponder]

Dremel with a cutoff wheel works too. Just cut down "almost" to the threads, then use a flat blade screwdriver to pop the nut open, then (after it cools) thread it off by hand.



I have done this a few times, and never had to chase the threads afterwards.

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

I have put the vise grips on the shock piston (under the boot) and broke the nut free that way before.