Shock absorbers used to be a fairly easy part for the amateur mechanic to remove until front-wheel drive and MacPherson struts came along. Now special tools must be used in and around wishbone and strut-type front-end suspension to get the shocks out. It has become increasingly difficult in more-restricted areas, seen in most compact cars. A few special tools can get the job done and tackle some of the more difficult shock extractions/installations.
Jack stands provide the necessary clearance for a person to move freely underneath the vehicle. They hold the frame stable while letting the suspension hang.
The lug wrench (tire iron) will be needed to remove the front or rear tires to allow for access to the struts or shocks. Either the dogleg or star-shaped pattern does the job to break the lug nuts loose. The dogleg lug wrench can also double as a crowbar.
Penetrating oil must be used to loosen and free up rusted or stubborn shock nuts and bolts. Liberal amounts should be used on any shock or strut mounts before attempting to remove them.
No other socket other than a deep-well six-point socket has the height to clear the top of most shock mounting shafts. The deep-well socket will fit down over the shock shaft to reach the mounting nut. Deep-well sockets can also be used to gain access inside (interior) rear fender panels to remove the top nuts on shocks.
Sometimes an impact wrench can be the only tool to remove top shock nuts, since the shock tube has a tendency to rotate with the loosening motion. The impact wrench "shocks" the nut free by using sudden force powered by pressurized air.
If an impact wrench cannot be used, a pair of wide-jaw vice grips will hold the shock tube steady while the nut has to be removed. Clamping the vice grip onto the shock and then wedging it in the suspension works to keep the shock immobile, allowing nuts to be loosened.
The mechanical spring compressor squeezes the coil spring, collapsing the control arms toward each other. They work best for removing MacPherson struts, which sit inside the coil spring. Once the spring compressor has been installed and locked onto the coil spring, it can be used to keep the spring compressed until the need for re-installation.
The MacPherson strut compressor has a bench-top design that allows it to load MacPherson strut cartridges so they can be assembled. They have safety locking features and can accommodate every strut size.
Large ball-peen or sledge hammers come in handy when shock mounts have to be separated from the frame after bolt removal. Rust accumulates on all shock parts, and sometimes the nuts and bolts are susceptible to freezing up. Tapping firmly on the bolt heads with a hammer can break them loose for removal
