Is there a trick to loosening the lower shock bolt WITHOUT having to take off the brake rotor. The outer 17mm is in easy position to get a socket on, but the nut on the other side turns in its housing with no apparent way to clamp it, while the rotor is in place. (for those of you have never removed the caliper bracket, that is no easy task without a hoist and air-wrench.)

 

whats so hard about it? i replaced my left rear bracket without a problem, with only a ratchet and socket.

i dont feel like going out and looking but i guess you cant get a wrench onto the nut on the other side of the strut?

 

Wedge a flat head screw driver into the cage to hold the nut.

 

I tried that, will have to try harder i guess.

 

[QUOTE=GGENIUS;8507285]whats so hard about it? i replaced my left rear bracket without a problem, with only a ratchet and socket.

The main bracket bolts for the caliper very often seize and brake at removal.

 

Put a pair of vice grip pliers on the nut to keep it from moving.

 

[QUOTE=rhonster;8507328]ah i mustve gotten lucky. even tho my caliper was seized at that time lol.

 

you can't get vice grips on the inner nut without removing the caliper? physically impossible

 

Jam a scratch awl or hammer nail in there. It worked for me.

 

I'm not sure what's so hard about what you are doing? Sorry for my ignorance. You should be able to use a socket on both ends. I would remove the brake assembly w/ rotor because it's really not that hard to put back on. Just use a rubber mallet to hammer the rotor loose if you need to.

 

The nut is captured inside a cage on the beam. You can not put a wrench on it.