[Dak2Xterra]

Hello to all,

I own a 2012 X & love it & love this forum. I have would rate my skills at solidly intermediate & have worked as a shop tech doing brakes, mufflers, radiators, pumps, alternators, ball joints, electrical etc. The information shared is so helpful.

I have researched here & youtube DIY on doing Xterra rear shocks and the FSM but am stumped. This seems like a simple swap job but I am having a problem I am hoping you can help me with.

I sprayed all bolts & nuts with PB for three days. Last year, due to metal shavings in the rear differential, the entire rear end had to be replaced. A Nissan dealership did the work. So the shock bolts have been moved since 2012. I cannot find any manner to get to access to the nut side which is blocked by the springs. So I have the impact working on the BOLT side, going in reverse (I even had my wife check I was going the proper direction to loosen from the bolt side). Nothing, no movement whatsoever after 2 hours.

I placed a jack under the spring to see if I could move the spring slightly upward in order to get the impact socket on the nut but it doesn't seem like the springs moved at all. The impact socket still hits the spring and will not sit flush against the nut which is no good because I don't want to round off the nut.

What the heck am I doing wrong? This seemed so straight forward. Ugh! I have to leave for Florida in 3 days &, the shocks are shot/not safe and I would like to get these Bilstein 4600s on. Thank you for any insight you can provide.

 

[Tlrtucker]

Looks like they installed the bolt backwards. Try a longer cheater bar? Heat it up with a torch, then break it loose? It should break loose, no matter which side you are trying to turn. Some guys have put a breaker bar on it with a floor jack under the breaker bar, then jack it up to break it loose. I can't imagine they'd put locktite on that nut.

Another option is to simply get a new bolt and cut that stuck one off and be done with it.

 

[Dak2Xterra]

Yep. I am kinda at the point of cutting it off. Thank you.

 

[oim7e]

Couldn't you just jack it up on the differential to get it above? I just went and looked at mine. (granted I am lifted, but not that much) The nut side is facing outward on both, but they're nowhere near the leafs. I agree with the other poster about the breaker. Once it pops, you'll be fine

 

[Just a Hunter]

Looks like they installed the bolt backwards.

Pic of my rear shock bolt.
Shocks are oem.

 

[Dak2Xterra]

Hey all, thanks for the replies.

I got my grinder out. 15 secs and done. Installed the 4600 to driver's side. Went to other side. Same issue, with spring. Thought what the hell I'll try the impact. (First, drink beer). Lo and behold - the passenger side came off like butter. Just finishing up now. Much thanks to all. Truly appreciate it.

 

[FishCannon]

I just did mine on Saturday and had the same problem. I put a 12 inch long box end wrench on the nut and put a floor lack underneath it to break it loose, then hit it with the impact. If you drop the spare and remove both rear wheels, you end up with a ton of space to work in, and can access the nut with a deep socket and extension.

FWIW, I removed the factory shocks. It was the first time they've been off since 2012, and the nut was on the spring side.

 

[mss3y]

You want the nut on the spring side. Reason being if it comes loose and starts working it's way out you don't have a bolt head close to the springs or tire.

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