I just purchased my 2015 XLT a couple weeks ago and figured first things first I was going to level it. I went with the Auto Spring 2.5 inch front level. Got everything off and out smoothly until it came to the bottom strut bolts. I have tried absolutely everything to get the out. Sledge hammer, ball point hammer, mallet, press, etc and they will not even budge to the slightest. I'm sure that they are machine pressed in pretty tight but there is no way I can get the shocks back in without those bolts. Anyone else have any recommendation cause this project is taking more blood than I expected?

 

Remove the lower control arm if you can't get the strut bolts out.

 

I pulled the strut assembly out with the studs still in, put in vise and pound studs out with 2 lb hammer. Don't pound directly on the end of the threaded stud it will damage the threads. Another option could be to use a vise and large socket to press the studs out. I've heard it's easier with air tools.

 

got mine out with just a few wacks with a mallet. easy as pie. no vice or nothin. left the nut on as to not damage the threads.

 

IMO you're at the point when it needs to go to a shop that does this type of thing for a living.

I had the same issues as you are having and they just simply weren't coming out. Had access to air tools and everything else.... they simply would not budge. The guys who are able to get theirs out rather easily don't understand the unfortunate few of us that can't get them to budge.

 

I hear this is a more common issue with the 2.5" spacer. My shop didn't even bother with trying to force them out. They just undid the LCA. Sucked because I needed a camber kit upon reassembly for alignment but peace of mind knowing nothing was damaged.

They told me they probably wouldn't have had any issues with a 2" or less spacer.

I might go down to a 2" up front and change the 2.25" rear block for the factory 1.25" to get a more leveled appearance. I'm slightly raked now. That and I'll probably drop from 34s to a non LT 33" when my tires are ready to be changed.

Speaking of, what kind of mileage are guys getting out of the KO2s? I have a set on my truck but I know there was some issues with people because they didn't have a mileage warranty.

 

My KO2's have about 800 miles on them. Hopefully it will be awhile before I know what kind of mileage I'm going to get out of them.

 

Maybe this will help.




Looks like they took off another brake line bracket, loosened the LCA bolts, and used a huge pry bar to pry the arm down and spring assembly up and out of the arm. Then they put the lower spring assembly in a bench vice and hammered out the stud, while leaving the nut on flush with the bolt to avoid screwing up the threads.