Fist off, get a good penetrating fluid – PB Blaster or Knock’er Loose. Liquid Wrench is useless as a penetrating fluid. If you have the time, apply the fluid several times per day over a period of days. Then use heat! A propane torch (or MAPP gas is even hotter) is an absolute must if you’re going to do suspension work. Heat the nut for a minute or two, and use Vice-Grips as Ned2683 said. The heat is going to destroy the rubber bushing on the bottom of the shock, but that’s OK, you’re replacing it anyway.

If you don’t have several days to allow the penetrating fluid to work, then try the heat by itself. Chances are it will do the trick.

(A torch is the most powerful tool you can have against rusty fasteners. It will free-up rusty parts that brute force alone would have broken.)

Jeff Pierce

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F