Removing front strut issue

I was trying to remove my front strut but when I loosened up the bottom shock bolt and got as much tension off it as I could with the jack the inner metal sleeve in the bushing was coming out with the bolt. I didn't take the bolt/sleeve all the way out but tapped it back in because I didn't know if this would be impossible to get back in. Question is should I attempt again but try to hold that sleeve in and just get the bolt by itself? I was going to put a lean tophat spacer in the driver side so it's not urgent.

 

This video may help:

 

It sounds like your lower shock bolt bushing is torn and you need a new shock. Is the sleeve completely separated from the rubber? Do you have any pictures?

 

How so?

 

I have no idea. There. I told you what you wanted to hear.

 

Well, not really. I thought you might enlighten me. Why give advice if you " have no idea?"

 

Not really sure without seeing it....but should not be big deal. If it is already loose in strut, should be okay. I would remove attaching nut and just use punch and drive bolt out. Depending on miles you may just want to get new struts that are adjustable and just set the drivers side a half inch higher.

 

The sleeve is larger than the hole in the LCA clevis. If you're able to hammer the bolt out then proceed with disassembly. What can sometimes happen is the sleeve is seized to the bolt, preventing disassembly unless you cut off the bolt. The bolt isn't at full diameter along its full shank length, so the bushing can get butchered.

The sleeve is supposed to be molded to the rubber. If it's already separated from the rubber, the bushing is already failed (known wear item with wheeling, hastened by the design flaw above). Either replace the bushing or replace the shock.

 

You could try spraying some PB Blaster or similar in the sleeve/ around the bolt to see if that frees it enough to slide out.

 

Well I'm an idiot it wasn't the bushing coming apart it was just the non threaded part of the bolt. I though the entire bolt was threaded. Got then in both sides 1/2" driver and 0.3" passenger. Now how hard is the one 1/2" to install in the rear driver side?

 

^If you loosen the axle link bolts to alleviate bushing bind, then disconnect the rear shock, you should be able to droop the axle as much as you need to install the spacer. Just be careful not to stretch the brake hoses and wiring. Support the axle with a hydraulic jack to slowly lower it.

 

Got the job all done 0.5" driver front, 0.3" pass side front and 0.5" driver rear. Cornfed knows what they are doing. I didn't think it was going to work, but it's perfect now.

 

Post pics and we’ll judge your perfect work .