Rear shock removal woes.....
Now that the front end is disassembled and awaiting new Lemforders and springs, I decided to tear apart the rear end. After the PITA rear seat removal, headrests and all, I thought I'd whip the shock assembly out in a couple of minutes, but....
After removing the lower bolt, it won't budge, not even the proverbial inch, not even a proverbial millimeter. Now, I've done this job on a few VW's with no such problem. Am I missing something? I've removed the dogbones for replacement, but can't imagine that causing problems. Do I need to give it a few swift blows toward the vehicle to free it?? Does anyone have any suggestions. Everything to this point has been simple, no frozen bolts on the car, thrust arms off in 5 min a side with a puller. I guess I was asking for it.
Humbled by a rear shock,
Dave M 91 525im, 485,000km
Apparently not that simple, I should have checked Bruno's site...
All steps were done including loosening the three 13mm top mounting bolts. I had no idea that a sleeve ran through the shock to trailing arm,
Thanks Bruno,
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...ear_shocks.htm
I didnt have a problem either but did read that
before I took it apart the first time. I put some antiseize on it since its now a Michigan car.
Yeah, I get where you're coming from...
I just had an hour to kill, so I went out for another session. As per Bruno's instruction, I Liquid Wrenched the crap out of it and then (since inserting a prybar into the bolt hole and 'wiggling' seemed futile) got a large crowbar and sledge and hammered at the bottom of the shock from the outside it with no success. I'm afraid of missing and modifying my rear wheel well.
I gave up as I was starting to dent the shock (cylindrical mounting section) and felt some frustration setting in, not a good sign when you have all winter to do things properly.
Again, any additional advice would be appreciated. Exactly what tools did you use? Did you guys remove anything else to improve access? I guess "damn near bending a shock in half" implies damage which I'd like to avoid. Can't have everything though. As a LAST resort I will finish all other projects and take the car in for someone else to deal with removal in the spring, but of course, would prefer not to.
Gone for a couple of days,
Thanks again,
Dve M 91 525im