| From | Message |
DakAttack
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/19/2003
08:01:02
|
 Subject: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
Has anyone who changed his shocks on the rear of a 01 or so 4x4 had a problem removing the upper bolt and nut? The manual says this nut is torqued to 70ftlbs but I couldn't break it loose with a torque wrench set on 90. The bottom one came off like a breeze. Dodge must have hired a gorilla to put the dang thing on. Also, there seems to be some type of bracket behind the nut designed to keep the nut from working off, but it isn't mentioned in the manual. The whole thing is awkward anyway working with the truck on jackstands and not on a lift. Hard to get the socket on at a perfect 90 degree angle due to its location close to the frame. Any advice?
|
Wal
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/19/2003
10:47:35
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
installation torque has nothing to do with how much torque it takes to remove it. Hit it with an impact gun and get it out :-)
Wal
|
EBL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/19/2003
17:28:50
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
Hammers are your friends!
|
jaggy
GenIII
11/19/2003
18:19:37
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
I used two socket wrenches, one on top and one on the bottom of the bolt.
I let the top one rest against the frame and broke it loose with the bottom.
I don't think I had to use a breaker bar, but that might not be a bad idea.
Seems silly but make sure you are twisting the right way. it is easy to get turned around upside down under the truck and all.
Impact wrench is always nice to have, or you could use some WD40.
BTW, upgrading shocks was my best mod!
Good luck.
|
rockgod
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/19/2003
19:51:28
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
I just changed mine out on ramps on a gravel driveway and it took about 5 hours. I did it just after I had cat back duals weleded in. Big mistake! Made access that much worse. I used a flex head 3/8 ratchet and many combinations of extensions, u joints, etc. No way to use a torque wrench on the rears. The Edelbrock IAS's were well worth the trouble, though. I love them. My brother just took the factory Bilsteins off his lowered S10 and loves the IAS's also. An air ratchet would be the hot setup!
|
Curtis Dreese
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/20/2003
13:47:05
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
First of all, its NOT recommended that you use a torque wrench to remove bolts/nuts. As you are discovering, some are way tight and you can ruin your torque wrench. Only use your torque wrench to tighten! You need to use a breaker bar or something else to remove a tight nut.
To get to the point, yes, they are hard to get to and on tight. On my 2000, the inside "bracket" you are talking about is a one piece thing with the nut welded on. The bracket swings and contacts the frame so that you don't need a wrench on the inside to loosen or tighten. Just go after the outside one and you should be OK. Helps to have the tire off to get the right angle too.
|
DakAttack
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/21/2003
07:50:05
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks to all who replied. Special thanks to Curtis for answering the question about the bracket. I had never used my torque wrench to try to loosen a bolt before but I didn't have access to my pull handle at the time. I'll be back at it again today. The weather here in NC is great. Sunny with the highs in the low 70's through the weekend, so what better time to work on the truck.
|
EBL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/21/2003
10:26:52
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
Shoot the nut with penetrating oil today and it will be easier to get off tomorrow!
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/21/2003
11:31:10
| RE: Changing Shocks
IP: Logged
Message:
I used an impact wrench for my '01 4x4. On jack stands it only took about 90 minutes to replace all 4 shocks. The rears were the easiest.
Why use a torque wrench for this kind of thing? A good torque wrench is a precision instrument and shouldn't be used to apply brute force to anything.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
