Shock gods smiled on me today!

[satcomr]

Replaced my 23 year old shocks today with a set of Rancho 5000x ! ! After reading a bit about the quirks of the TJ I was prepared for some serious work. I hit the mounts with pb blaster for a few days and started today.

Nothing broke! Nothing stripped! And I didn't even lose my 10mm socket!

The rear upper mounts gave way pretty easy. I did notice that the bolts were at an angle and can see where someone might round them off with an impact. Took it slow and easy and everything came apart really will. Not a terrible amount of rust either, that made life easy.

Now on to the next small project!

 

[BigO]

That's great! I just replaced the front shocks this weekend, and approached it the same way you did, hitting all the hardware with penetrating oil several days before. I also scrubbed the threads with a small wire brush and compressed air to clear as much rust as possible. I'm going to do the rear shocks next weekend.

 

[SSTJ]

That's great! I just replaced the front shocks this weekend, and approached it the same way you did, hitting all the hardware with penetrating oil several days before. I also scrubbed the threads with a small wire brush and compressed air to clear as much rust as possible. I'm going to do the rear shocks next weekend.

Just FYI, the rear shocks' upper bolts have more of a tendency to snap than anything on the front shocks. You can spray down the upper side of those bolts with penetrating oil by spraying through the gap between your rear wheel well liner and your tub. Have a look and that should make sense.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Replaced my 23 year old shocks today with a set of Rancho 5000x ! ! After reading a bit about the quirks of the TJ I was prepared for some serious work. I hit the mounts with pb blaster for a few days and started today.

Nothing broke! Nothing stripped! And I didn't even lose my 10mm socket!

The rear upper mounts gave way pretty easy. I did notice that the bolts were at an angle and can see where someone might round them off with an impact. Took it slow and easy and everything came apart really will. Not a terrible amount of rust either, that made life easy.

Now on to the next small project!

Very nice especially given your region. I snapped the upper rear shock bolts on an Ohio LJ when it was only 5 years old. Of course I hadn't sprayed them ahead of time like I do now.

If you want something that works better than pb blaster, try a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. Not only do I find it more effective but it's saved me time and money not having to buy it in an expensive can. I always have both of the ingredients on hand and just mix up a little at a time in a spray bottle.

 

[TheBoogieman]

An Illinois Jeep with upper rear shock bolts that didn't snap? A real unicorn sighting would be more believable. I need pictures of both.
p.s. I snapped one on my TX/VA Jeep with zero rust.

 

[TheBoogieman]

If you want something that works better than pb blaster, try a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone or use Liquid Wrench.

FIFY.

 

[satcomr]

Very nice especially given your region. I snapped the upper rear shock bolts on an Ohio LJ when it was only 5 years old. Of course I hadn't sprayed them ahead of time like I do now.

If you want something that works better than pb blaster, try a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. Not only do I find it more effective but it's saved me time and money not having to buy it in an expensive can. I always have both of the ingredients on hand and just mix up a little at a time in a spray bottle.

Might have to try the ATF and acetone trick, I have heard of that before. Maybe when I replace the body mounts!

 

[satcomr]

An Illinois Jeep with upper rear shock bolts that didn't snap? A real unicorn sighting would be more believable. I need pictures of both.
p.s. I snapped one on my TX/VA Jeep with zero rust.

Not gonna lie, I was super surprised! Best guess is that it was rarely driven in snow and salt. I tried not to over tighten them when I put them back, hard to get a torque wench in there