I'm attempting to replace the front shock absorbers on my '74 "regular" Beetle (torsion bar suspension). I'm having trouble lossening the nut at the top of the shock absorber. When I attempt to unscrew the nut, all that happens is that the shock absorber shaft rotates. The Haynes manual mentions holding the buffer stud with a thin 42mm wrench, but on my car there is no flat on the shaft or anything attached to it where a wrench can grip (not too mention that thin 42 mm wrenches are hard to find). I've tried clamping the shaft with vice grips, but as one would expect I can't get enough torque to loosent the nut before the vice grips slip. I'm soaking everything in Liquid Wrench overnight, but I'm not optimistic I'll be able to unscrew the nut. Does anyone have a solution to this problem? Is there any risk in simply hacksawing through the nut and stud at the top of the shock?
Also, the Haynes manual recommends unbolting the trailing arm before removing the shocks so that the arm does not receive excessive force from the torsion bar. Other manuals don't mention this. Is this a concern? I'm planning to jam a stack of 4 by 4 blocks under the steering knuckle when I remove the shock- will this be sufficient to prevent excessive force on the steering parts?
Thanks!
Garry