Remove Coilover Monoball shock tower hat to change springs

[Scin]

I've spent about an hour and a half trying to figure out how to remove the shock tower hat and mount to swap the springs on my JRZ RS suspension.

There are two thin 17mm nuts. I used a thin wrench to get the top off, now the bottom is impossible to get off. I can't figure out where to hold the shock hat, without severely damaging it. There doesn't seem to be anywhere to put a wrench to hold everything together.

Is there a way to stop the shock piston from rotating within the body? That would also work. I am really stuck, I've done the rear beam toe links, pivot clamps and removed the old shocks. I figured changing springs would be easy, but this is proving to be the most difficult part.

 

[KooLaid]

There's no place to use an allen wrench on the end of the shaft?

 

[Scin]

Take a look at: http://www.jrzusa.net/products/

If you look at the picture of the JRZ RS, which is the second one down--that is the only allen on the shaft.

Is that the one I need to mess with? I'm afraid to release all the nitrogen in the sock as that looks a lot like the spot the four ways hook their external canister, I wish their site had more information.

 

[Olyar15]

The two 17mm nuts act together as jam nuts, so once you get the top nut off, the bottom nut should come off quite easily. I am actually surprised you were able to get the top nut off with a wrench. Did you use the thin wrench to hold the bottom nut while using another wrench to get the top nut off? If so, you might have tightened the bottom nut even more.

Anyways, the only way I got the monoball mount off was to use an impact wrench and deep 17mm socket. That makes short work of the two nuts. Also, compress the helper spring to relieve any upward force against the bottom of the hat.

 

[Scin]

I used a 17mm 6 point socket on the top, and a thin 19mm cone wrench (which I special ordered) to hold the bottom.

Mine are on incredibly tight. I don't have air tools here at home (I am going to buy a compressor and start buying tools, they just save so much time).

I'm wondering if I put them on the car and take the car off the jack, perhaps that will load the shock hat up and hold everything in place?

It really seems like there is something missing. I'm surprised how hard this has been, maybe mine were just over torqued. I've already scraped up one of the hats trying to hold it with a pliers, even though I had wrapped the pliers with rubber and a rag

 

[Olyar15]

I used a 17mm 6 point socket on the top, and a thin 19mm cone wrench (which I special ordered) to hold the bottom.

Interesting. I didn't know they make those types of wrenches. It could be that you ended up tightening the bottom nut a bit more , but that shouldn't make much of a difference.

Mine are on incredibly tight. I don't have air tools here at home (I am going to buy a compressor and start buying tools, they just save so much time).

I'm wondering if I put them on the car and take the car off the jack, perhaps that will load the shock hat up and hold everything in place?

I'm not sure that will work, since there is still nothing preventing the shock piston from rotating.

It really seems like there is something missing. I'm surprised how hard this has been, maybe mine were just over torqued. I've already scraped up one of the hats trying to hold it with a pliers, even though I had wrapped the pliers with rubber and a rag

It is amazing how easy it is if you have an impact wrench. I have seen some electric impact wrenches, which should be sufficient to get this job done. You can buy one for under $100. However, if you do work on cars regularly, a good air compressor and airtools are definitely worth it. Just make sure you buy good quality tools. And spend the money on a good air compressor.

 

[KooLaid]

Interesting. I didn't know they make those types of wrenches. It could be that you ended up tightening the bottom nut a bit more , but that shouldn't make much of a difference.

Bicycle shops are probably the most common place to find/use those wrenches.


Sounds like an impact wrench is going to be the best way. You can possibly try putting nuts on the 3 studs of the hats to pretect the threads, then use a long wrench to hold it in place or even a bar/pipe. Or maybe lightly hold the studs in a vise without bending them?

 

[Scin]

Sounds like an impact wrench is going to be the best way. You can possibly try putting nuts on the 3 studs of the hats to pretect the threads, then use a long wrench to hold it in place or even a bar/pipe. Or maybe lightly hold the studs in a vise without bending them?

The 3 nuts idea worked like a champ! Thanks. Major, why didn't I think of that moment right afterward

 

[KooLaid]

Next time, try loosening the two nuts on the shaft while the shock is still installed in the car. It might help. Odd though, because you'd think the shaft would just spin regardless.