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  Sept. 6, 2009 9:13 a.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Gee doing the rear spring swap on the FIAT is a treat.

  Discovered this little trick. Maybe someone has already thought of this.

  With the spring compressors in place slide a wrench under the shock to support it.

  Then you can spin on the nuts from above.

  

  Next up is the front which will not be as easy.

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  Sept. 6, 2009 12:15 p.m. bravenrace HalfDork

  In reply to André Rousseau:

  This wouldn't apply if you aren't replacing the shocks, but years ago when I wrenched for a living, we routinely removed the type of shocks that have the nut on top of the shaft by placing a deep socket and long extension over it and rocking it until it broke. It usually only took 3-4 rocks to do it. I could remove both front shocks in about 2 minutes this way. Of course, we were normally working on rusty DD's, and we had to install new hardware anyway.
  My question with your tip is why can't you install the shock at the bottom and then lower the weight of the car down on it until the shaft extends up through the hole and then install the nut? That's how I have always done it.

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  Sept. 6, 2009 9:46 p.m. André Rousseau HalfDork

  Tried that, but it was too short and I missed on one shot and made the shock too short.

  This worked fine. I did the same on the front and then pulled it down into the lower bolt.

  So many ways to skin a cat.

  

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