What is the correct tool for this

[mobiledynamics]

Just a weekend warrior here.
The Hex head ontop of of a shock.....what is normally used to hold it in place and or the *correct tool*. I've seen both hex head socket and a specific shock socket...

 

[CWP1616L]

Those are usually either Allen or Torx.

 

[Thumper]

If it's the "D" shape.....Lisle sells a socket for those as well as Snap-On etc.. Or..you could use a small adjustable wrench or even Vise Grips to hold it until you get it loosened up.

 

[kossuth]

Just a weekend warrior here.
The Hex head ontop of of a shock.....what is normally used to hold it in place and or the *correct tool*. I've seen both hex head socket and a specific shock socket...

To tighten the bolt I agree with those guys. Now if you are replacing the shock/strut then my go to tool is a set of heavy vice grips and an impact (if its a strut please have the spring secured with a compressor first so you don't kill yourself). Now on my older Dodge rams that had a solid front axle I would just take a socket with a large extension and put it over the nut and just pry back and forth until the stud snapped off. No way to easily get on those things.

 

[jrlp]

Just a weekend warrior here.
The Hex head ontop of of a shock.....what is normally used to hold it in place and or the *correct tool*. I've seen both hex head socket and a specific shock socket...

There's a few ways to do it. If you're replacing it, a large wrench holding the body of the shock from spinning is one way to do it.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Spring compressors are important, use them if you need them!


Anyway, usually a blast with an impact wrench can do it without needing to hold the hex head still. Otherwise, hex socket on a ratchet and then a offset box or box end of a combo on the bolt and loosen away.

 

[DodgeMech]

Break it loose with a box end, then switch to a ratcheter to finish getting it off so you ain't stuck ten minutes on one stupid nut...

 

[Kevin54]

Any shock I ever changed out just had a hex head nut. I've had to vise grip the stem at times to get them off though. I've just used a deepwell and a ratchet.

 

[ChevyEFI]

If it's the "D" shape.....Lisle sells a socket for those as well as Snap-On etc.. Or..you could use a small adjustable wrench or even Vise Grips to hold it until you get it loosened up.

I think I saw a SO socket listed by the guy on eBay who had the $15 1/4" impact extensions.