On my setup, there is only the top nut. I have to use an open end wrench on the nut and try to hold the shock steady by the little squared off end on top of the shock threads. Must be later year shocks have the two nuts while the early year C4s have the single nut setup. That's why I'm having a tough time getting the shock off, I don't have much to hold onto when I try to wrench the nut off.

No impact gun and yes, the shock turns while I try to loosen the nut.

Ok. I admit it. I'm a moron when it comes to mechanics and have zero confidence when it comes to repairs. This weekend I fully intended to replace front shocks, per Andy's write up and thought the job would be a cinch. Wrong The job should be a cinch but I can't get the damn top nut loose I've tried soaking it in Liquid Wrench and tried everything from the smallest open end wrench to a crescent wrench and even the old faithful vise grips and all I've managed to do is smoosh the crap out of the squared end. I even thought about using the vise grips on the threaded portion but didn't want to strip the threads. I know some have ended up cutting the nut off but I'm pretty leary about going that drastic route even though I have a Dremel. The really frustrating thing is that the job looks so simple if only I could get that damn top nut off and I really don't want to have to take it to the shop. Any hints or suggestions?

How hard is it to remove the rocker panels on an 86 vert? I'd like to get them repainted and thought it'd be easier than taking the car to the body shop. Thanks.

OK now I have to admit I'm confused because I thought that coolant temps of 195 on the highway were normal. I guess I assumed that my oil temps were a little high, not that the coolant temp was too low. What is the normal coolant temp on an L98 at highway speed? I know it runs higher in traffic and will reach mid 220's when the fan kicks on but it pretty steady in the 195 range at 60 MPH. Thanks again.

I know it's been covered before but after reading several threads on the Corvette Forum about what a "normal" operating temp is supposed to be I am a little concerned about my 86. Under normal highway driving the coolant temps are about 195, which is good but the oil temp is in the 230 range and I've been reading that they should be within 15 to 20 degrees apart, not the 35-40 degree difference I'm seeing. I'm using Mobil 1, outside temps are mid 80's and the car is basically a garage queen with just a shade over 21,000 miles on it, a new water pump just installed and fresh coolant.
In traffic the coolant jumps to 210-215 and the oil creeps to 235. I know the fan comes on in the 220 range and the fan works fine. I'm just curious if my temperature difference in the coolant and oil is something i should be concerned about and what I should check for. Thanks for any information you can give me.

Just wanted to thank those who helped me with the brake post. This past weekend I finally worked up enough courage to tackle the front pads and rotors. I can't say it was easy but somehow I managed to get them installed and working :D I managed to snap a caliper pin bolt because I overtorqued it out of ignorance. Having no previous experience with a torque wrench, I keep listening for a click on the 22-24 pound bolts but apparently my torque wrench doesn't make an audible click on lower settings, so here is this dummy torqueing away until SNAP :oops: Good thing I had extra bolts and pins. :lol: Well next weekend I'm hoping to get to the rears and hopefully learn from my mistakes. Thanks again.

Been trying to read up as much as I can before I tackle the brakes and have another question. When putting new pads and rotors on do you also replace the caliper bolts as some recommend and does the manufacturer of the rotors and pads supply the hardware or do you have to buy it separately? Thanks again.

Thanks for the information. Looking forward to the tech article on brakes. Your article on shocks is great. I'll be referring to it when I install them this spring. It's really too bad more people don't frequent this forum. It has lots of experienced Vette gurus and great info. Thanks again.

My first post and it's good to see some familiar names from the Forum I usually frequent! This spring I plan on installing new brake pads and I also want to bleed the brakes as it hasn't been done since I owned the car. I've never done this before and consider myself a novice when it comes to servicing my cars. I think I know which brakes I'm going to choose and I also plan on getting some speed bleeders but I'm a little nervous about the whole thing. I've got some good books on how to do it but I'm looking for any hints or advice including any special tools I'll need. For instance should I go out and hit the bleeders with some PB Blaster a couple of days before to make sure I don't break them off and end up needing new calipers? Is there a better way to bleed the brakes? Do I buy el cheapo pads or spend a little more on Hawks? Do you sand the rotors as some recommend? Synthetic fluid or not? Those are the kinds of questions I looking for answers to. I appreciate any and all replys. Thanks.