Rear shock install help?

[mtnmeow]

Hey guys,

I set out to replace all 4 struts/shocks on my 03 Vibe with a set of Monroe OESpectrum struts since it's been bouncing like crazy. Of course, nothing is as easy as it is in the manual. Here's my hangup:

http://imgur.com/a/3IcjB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In the first image, the new shock is on the left. With a lot of difficulty, I was able to remove the old shock but it seems the eye bushing didn't want to come. After much prying and cursing, it almost seems like it's not a replaceable part. The service manual doesn't agree with me.

What would you do in my situation? Part of me wants to push the bushing out of the new shock and call it a day, but I'd rather do it right.

Thanks!

[thebarber]

What happened to the bearing piece on your old shock? Is it still stick to the bolt on the car? They usually don't come out...

[mtnmeow]

Yup, it's still stuck on the car!

It was really difficult to extract the shock with the bearing/bushing stuck. Should I try to remove it from the car? Honestly, I put a lot of effort in trying to get it off (after the shock was removed), then thought that it might not be meant to be removed.

How should I approach this? I've tried soaking it in Kroil, but it's very difficult to get it to move at all. It seems to be flush so I can't get to the other side to pry it out. Next step would be cutting/grinding it off..

[ParknVibe]

If you haven't gotten the rubber bearing sleeve off yet, ...try and use Liquid Wrench...Spray can.....Also tap the thing with a rubber mallet.

[Chiadog]

Looks like you'll have to burn the rubber off with a torch, then heat-up the inner sleeve with the torch, THAT IS IF YOU CAN DO IT SAFELY!

[joatmon]

Can you try twisting it with a pipe wrench or channellocks to break the rust?

[kumquat]

I'd start by cutting through the rubber.

[ImUrOBGYN]

That definitely needs to come off without damaging the post and threads it is on. Spray the hell out of it with a good penetrant, smack it around a bit, let it sit for a good few minutes, heat it all up real good, let it cool a bit, spray it down again, smack it a bit to help penetrant penetrate again, let it sit a few minutes, then try hammering a small pry between the back of the rubber grommet to help loosen. I can't imagine it'll be any harder than pulling the strut off the grommet in the first place.

[mtnmeow]

Great ideas everyone.

I've been soaking the thing in Kroil while taking a break from it. Got rid of some of the rubber but couldn't break it using vise grips. Hammering on it hasn't worked yet. It took a 2ft pry bar to leverage the shock off the mount. Luckily the bushing broke free on the other side.

I will be removing all of the rubber tonight and hitting it with a heat gun as I don't own a torch. Careful work with the grinder next or should I look into a handheld propane torch?

There's no room at all between the bushing and the non-exposed side of the post it's on.

[mtnmeow]

And we have a winner!

http://imgur.com/a/zsBsa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After making a better surface for the vice grips using a sawzall, I cleaned up as much of the rubber as I had patience for, then set the thing on fire with a small propane torch. The rubber kept the flame going by itself for a bit (the brake lines are well out of the way).

To my surprise, the heat + kroil allowed me to wiggle it off! I had to use a thread restorer to fix the threads I smashed with the hammer. Thanks again for all of the ideas.

[kumquat]

Good work!

I love when I can solve my problems with fire.

[Water boy]

You might of had better leverage if you weren't wearing flipflops.

[Water boy]

oh yea, did you put some grease or anti-seize on the post to prevent this next time?