special tool

[donm]

Is there a socket available that's designed to fit over the end of the shock absorber shaft so you could keep it from turning as you install or remove the shock?

Seems to me it would be a pretty handy thing to have when there's no room to grab it with a wrench.

[azruss]

i've never see one and not sure there is enough room for one. A ratchet box for the big nut and a small (6mm i think) for the flat.

[donm]

Regular sockets don't fit because the shafts are an oblong shape but thanks anyway.

[So Cal Mark]

there is a socket that fits the double-d on the top of the shock but there isn't room on the rear shock on a Fiat to use it. A ratcheting wrench and small vise grips do the task

[njoconnor]

i've never see one and not sure there is enough room for one. A ratchet box for the big nut and a small (6mm i think) for the flat.

6mm it is. For removing the old rear shocks, I used a small quick grip clamp. Not enough room on the fronts, for the clamp, but a large curved jaw vice grips helped. Installing new I used the 6mm open end on the flats, and a lot of patience.... Using a stubby ratcheting box end wrench on the nut made the fronts go on much quicker.

Neil