lv2bunderwater

Fellow CTD Owners!

Well… I should have stopped when one of the shock tower bolts snapped while trying to remove the driver’s side tower for the new Rancho front shocks install. It only got worse when trying to loosen the bottom driver’s side shock bolt were the captive tab broke off the rear nut, allowing the lower shock bolt to spin freely. I have tried everything from an open ended wrench to a small socket trying to remove the bolt.

There is little to no room to work in the back half and no easy access to place a socket. I had to give up after 3 hours and put everything back together and called it a day. Very frustrating to not get very far at all.

Funny thing is, I installed the old Ranchos about 3 years ago with no issues.
There has to be someone out there that experienced the same problem. Please help and let me know what you did to overcome the situation.

Thanks,
lv2bunderwater

Grit Dog

If you live in Rustagoland, anti seize everything!
About the only bolts I wouldn't anti seize when I lived there were teh ones actually holding the engine together.

lv2bunderwater

Makes sense now! :-)

I'm thinking about cutting out the old shock if I can't get around this issue.

lv2bunderwater

I plan to tear it down this weekend. I will remove the coil spring and puck so I can take a cold chisel the rear nut. Once out, I will replace the bolt and nut. A lot of work for a shock... I hope the other front shock doesn't cause so much trouble. Thanks!

DodgeChallenger

Grit is correct - anti-sieze the pi$$ out of them. I just did mine last weekend and the truck is 3-1/2 years old and things were not good but they did come out. Some Mexican tightened the tower bolts way too tight as well but no broken ones fortunately.

lastcall190

A glob of marine-grease on the top nut can't hurt either...

PoorMansCat

Blue-tipped flame ratchet will remove it every time!!!..

Purplezr2

Also know as a Smith wrench!