Hi Randy,

I finally got the bolt unstuck from the shock absorber's sleeve by cutting the rubber grommets away and turning the bolt [which also turned the sleeve, of course] and as I did that the shock absorber moved to one side of the mounting flange. This exposed more of the sleeve on one side of the shock absorber.

I could then connect my big vice grip pliers to the rusty exterior exposed part of the sleeve.

Doused everything with PB Blaster once again.

Turned the 17mm bolt and it came free from the sleeve when the vice grips contacted a part of the frame and stopped the sleeve from turning.

The bolt was still very stiff but it would move with some pounding on the end of the bolt [which was protected by my putting the nut on loosely].

I bought a new nut but was actually able to use the original after I doctored it a little with some filing.

I finally used the vice grips to pull the bolt away. I didn't like the idea of being under the car when the bolt pulled free of the shock absorber. Turned out my fears were unwarranted because there was little movement when the two parted company.

When I came to the install I had to use a grinder to shorten the 'ears' of the absorber at the upper end because the bracket had been squeezed in over the years by the torque required for the bolt. I also used a bottle jack to push the absorber up into place so that I could shove the bolt into position. So I had the floor jack holding the axle in place, the jackstand was stationed at the jacking point, and the bottle jack just pushed the absorber up slightly.

Everybody here has been really helpful. I almost gave up at one point but after rereading the posts I took courage and continued the job to its rightful finish. Thanks to all and I hope my experience will help anybody else trying this job on.

Bob