I have a 1995 4Runner SR5 (3.0 / AT) and am planning on installing a set of Downey 1.5" HD coils and Edelbrock IAS shocks this weekend.
I have read all the write-ups and such - everything seems pretty straight forward to me with the coil replacements, with one exception:

How to remove the passenger side rear shock?

Last night I dropped the spare tire and started to PB Blast all the bolts but the top side of passenger side rear shock was nearly impossible to see.

Is there some trick to gaining access to that bolt? It looks like its going to be difficult to get a wrench on that sucker..

I am sure its probably something easy that I missed but it looks like a real bitch.
Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

It is a bitch to see and get at. I got a pair of small vise grips and lock those on the top portion and then used a wrench to loosen the nut. One hint, use a small steel brush on the threafds to remove any dirt or rust. If you do not, the nut may get stuck and then you will have to cut it off like I did.

 

Yeah, no kidding!!

Tonight I did day #2 of the PB Blaster treatment on all the bolts and took another look at the upper shock bolt...Holy crap, I tried to just get a hand on that bolt and barely made it. Getting enough torque on the wrench to turn the nut may be real fun.

If I had a BL I could see things being easier but...no BL for me.

Obviously a lot of folks have done this already so it is not impossible but damn it looks like a MOFO. I heard the fuel filter was a bitch but I thought that was relatively easy to be honest.

This shock mount looks worse...

Oh well, if it gets too bad - I am going to cut an 'access' hole in from the top side!! right through the upper body panels, heck a 1" hole saw ought to Git-R-Done!

 

I'm bringing this thread back to life and I am going to remove the rear passenger side shock tomorrow and it does look like a pain to deal with. Does anyone have any tricks? I think I will have to grind this one off. I have the axle drooped with no shocks but the panhard rod is still attached and it looks like I'll be better able to access the bolt.

 

I managed somehow, takes a big a pair of cahones and some elbow grease, when i replaced mine. They are a pain.

 

Or a torch lol thats what i do.

 

Ony my 94 I used a pair of oil filter wrench vise grips from harbor freight to hold the metal "dust shield". It worked great till the shield broke from the shock rod. I welded the shield back to the rod and finished in <5min. Just a PITA! My forearms got a hell of a workout.... I think this could be the start of a new fitness video series... hhhmmmmm. good luck

 

IIRC, I put a wrench on the nut, then turned the shock body with a BIG pair of channelocks.

Don't screw around with it - if it doesn't come easily, just cut the bastard off.

 

I'm about to be doing this same thing for new shocks and new coils and a spacer but by then ill have my 1" body lift on and it should be easier.

 

Won't help a bit on the rear. Sorry.

 

I'm getting an itching angle grinder finger upon second look. I think I will cut into it from the bottom to avoid damaging the brake lines on top.

 

Yeah hold the old shock by the shaft and "gearwrench" it off, their a real pain in the ass. if ya don't have gearwrenches atleast go buy one it'll make your life alot easier. dealer Yote Tech and even i cringe on these babies.

 

If memory serves, it's a 14mm nut. I picked up a set of ratcheting (gear) wrenches with a tilting head.http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1197612380489

Slipped the end over the nut on top of the shock and took a pair of chain Vise Grips and wrapped the chain around the shock body. I twisted the Vise Grips and let the gear mechanism of wrench handle the ratcheting action. It was held in place by the nut and the pocket in the frame. Worked like a charm.

 

Its been 2 years since I started this thread! LOL!!

Anyways...when I did the removal I found that a ratcheting box-end wrench was perfect for the top bolt. I forget the size I needed but I seem to remember it was either 14 or 17mm....

I put a big Craftsman strap wrench (the one with the aluminum handle) on the lower body of the shock and the ratcheting box end on the top nut. It was still a PITA as I rememeber...not a lot of room to move the upper wrench but it ended up not as bad as I would have thought it would have been using a regular socket/wrench.

Good Luck!

Edit - Seems to me that on one side I ended up using a large slip joint wrench on the dust cover of the shock (ruining the shock in the process) but it worked. If you do this - its the point of no return...but hey you got a new shock sitting right next to the 4Runner right?

 

torch it, saves time, effort and knuckles. the shocks are more than likely done anyway. just my .02.

lee