Shock help

[LJWrangle850]

Probably a super easy way that I’m not thinking of, but I got some ranchos to replace the old bilstein 5100s on the LJ. The bottom of the front shocks on the ranchos have a bracket for the stock set up, however the bottoms of my Bilsteins are a through bolt.

Basically what’s the best way to get the new bracket out of the ranchos and the old metal cylinder out of the bilsteins. Vice grips with pb blast and trying to push through with a c clamp haven’t worked. These suckers are in there.

First pic is new, second pic is the old shock

 

[JMT]

What does the lower shock mount look like. Standard setup accepts the Rancho shock end.

 

[LJWrangle850]

What does the lower shock mount look like. Standard setup accepts the Rancho shock end.

Bolt from the truss

 

[JMT]

Can you cut off both ends with an angle grinder and get a socket on one end and push it out with a vice into a larger socket?

 

[LJWrangle850]

Can you cut off both ends with an angle grinder and get a socket on one end and push it out with a vice into a larger socket?

And then do the same with the old one and just reuse that rubber?

Might go rent a ball joint press to make these easier

 

[JMT]

And then do the same with the old one and just reuse that rubber?

Might go rent a ball joint press to make these easier

I was thinking just press out the pin, but whatever’s easiest. I’ve done this, but it was about 5 years ago, so I’m foggy. I do remember it was a pain. If a ball joint press is easier to manage then I would. The right tool always makes it easier.

 

[LJWrangle850]

I was thinking just press out the pin, but whatever’s easiest. I’ve done this, but it was about 5 years ago, so I’m foggy. I do remember it was a pain. If a ball joint press is easier to manage then I would. The right tool always makes it easier.

Thanks again JMT for answering all my dumb questions haha

 

[tworley]

I had to do the same thing with my ranchos. I was able to manhandle the bar pin out of the bushing. Lots of twisting, smashing, etc and it finally came out. To get the new metal sleeve in I had to use a press and a lot of dish soap.