2 questions in one ;) 2005 Trailblazaer - brake - shocks

[BoxMN]

Doing rear brakes/rotors on my 2005 Trailblazer.

Got pass side done just fine, using breaker bar (with pipe) to loosen the two bolts holding the caliper mount. On the driver side, I was able to loosen one, but the other is not budging... ugh... maybe I am getting weak. I even was able to get impact on it and not budging, though my impact is a bit cheap and weak, heh.

I did not put penetrating oil on yet, or try heat. Should I wait to get my neighbors stronger impact, or put oil, or just hike up my skirt and be stronger with bar? I honestly about hit my strength limit on it though.

So, for question number 2 - I put in rear shocks no problem. Have the front shocks/struts without springs. I have not done these before, and wondering if I should just bring to shop and let them do it all; or if I should take it off, just bring in old (with springs attadched) and have them swap springs, and then I install it back onto the vehicle. I am just not sure if taking it off is a big/complicated process, or something I can do. I don't have a hoist if that matters.

Thanks for you advice! I Appreciate it!

[Macgyver55]

I did not put penetrating oil on yet, or try heat. Should I wait to get my neighbors stronger impact, or put oil, or just hike up my skirt and be stronger with bar? I honestly about hit my strength limit on it though.

Hike it up a bit and maybe get a longer bar! I had one recently that was in an awkward spot that I split 5, count em 5, sockets before I got it loose! I couldnt get a good straight pull on it so the sockets would slip off a bit the harder I pulled and there was no way to get an impact on it. I ended up using a big box end wrench and a pry bar to get enough leverage to break it loose. Needless to say, all my 15 mm sockets are all nice and shiny now.

As far as the struts, they are not that hard to do but if you dont have a decent spring compressor you would be better off having them done safely somewhere else. Or... another option would be to get "Quick struts" that already come with new springs and new strut mounts on them. (which you may need anyway) Yes they cost more but the time savings and headache may be worth it for you.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If I remember right the lower part of the strut mounts to the lower control arm with a tapered style fit similar to a ball joint or tie rod. Whacking the lower part of the strut with a big hammer will release the strut from the mount.

[BoxMN]

So I changed my plan, and got the "quick struts" My nephew who I get parts from said they are not as good as the others, but that they have not had problems with them. The cost to for me to have shop swap springs was about $135, and two quick struts cost me about $145 (and about $75 per good strut), so half the cost.

The strut actually came out pretty easy of the mount, I sprayed with lube and opened the "gap" with a chisel and the hammer did the rest

I did one tonight, and it went pretty easy. Had the biggest problem getting the lower part of strut into mount, but some slight hammer work and dropping the jack a bit, with jack stand under the a-arm, helped it slide in Next side will be Sunday after a morning duck hunt - wedding tomorrow, after some early am muskie fishing.

Struts (ok quality, not great) and shocks (good quality) all around for $245. I can live with that for another 135k...

oh yeah - I did hike up my skirt, to no avail... but the real deal was my neighbors IR impact, it got the bolt out right away. I need to get a good impact for Xmas, haha!