How to reattach engine shocks?

[kartoffelpanzer]

Hey all-

Finishing up replacing my oil cooler lines. Having problems reattaching my engine shocks at the bottom of each.

Each shock has a threaded rod that runs through a tab on the frame. The rod has two rubber doughnuts, one above and one below the tab, that must be squeezed together tightly to allow thread to protrude from the bottom doughnut, to allow you to start the nut on the thread.

I can't squeeze them together tight enough and get the nut started at the same time. Is there a special tool for this?

Thanks-
Rob

79 300SD W116

[ozawa]

not a sophisticated method, but here's how i do them. i take a pair of needle nose vice grips and put small pieces of fuel hose on the actual clamps themselves. this will allow you to grip the piston rod without damaging it and then you can pull down on the rod enough to get the nut started.