Rear shocks on 9-5... a faster way to get the rusty nut off
 

I just replaced the rear shocks on our 2005 Saab 9-5 Arc sedan. It’s a pretty easy job except for the (dreaded) rusty nut. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about if you’ve done this job.

I first removed the passenger’s side spring/shock assembly. At first I tried to use a closed-end wrench (5/8 inch, interestingly) and a 7 mm socket and ratchet (to keep the shaft from spinning) to remove the nut. Didn’t work – too rusty. I then used a Dremel w/ cutoff wheel to make downward slices on the nut until I was able to peel the nut off the shaft. Took about 30 minutes just to do that.

I then did the driver’s side. After I removed the spring/shock assembly, I decided to try another technique to deal with the rusty nut: cut right through the damn shaft - through the rubber bushing, just below the nut. (The new shock should come with a new rubber bushing, so you can safely destroy it.)

I installed a metal-cutting blade on my 10 inch miter saw and cut through the rubber bushing. Took about 1 minute. Worked like a charm. Here are some pics.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rxaxsrkt74...71520.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zqrj17e557...1520a.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/99c83xk71c...1520b.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p9nnhedjlb...71521.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bprtv56hl3...71525.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fvyryzlp4n...71526.jpg?dl=0



So here is my advice: don’t mess around with the rusty nut. After removing the spring/shock assembly and installing the spring compressors, just cut through it using a miter saw with metal cutting blade. I suppose a Sawzall might also work.