I attempted to replace my front ones today with no success. The top nut is rusted to the bolt. If I turn the nut the whole shock turns and there is no way to hold on to the shock to prevent it from spinning. There is a metal disc that the nut sits on top of and if I could find a way to hold on to that disc, I might be able to twist the nut off. Any one have the same problem? I'm thinking about just using a hacksaw to cut through the rubber bushing and bolt.

All the moisture you see is WD-40 in an effort to dissolve the rust.

 

PB Blaster, "ping" it with a hammer a few times, a 6 sided box wrench on the nut, GOOD Vice-Grips on the top of the shock bolt where the flat spots are and whaa-la!

 

there is a special socket to fit over the stud to hold it, however as Tainter stated, vise grips work just fine. Slide the box wrench on first, then grab the stud above the threads with vise grips.

 

If I buy the shocks, what would be a reasonable price for a shop to charge for just the install? Big-O has done a bunch of work on my H3 for me, so thought I would ask them.

 

Call and ask, you may get a great deal if they don't look up the labor time...

ALLDATA:
Labor
Front Shocks Both Sides 1.2
Rear Shocks Both Sides 1.4


2.6hrs x hourly rate (around $100.hr)= $250.- $300.

 

Thanks Hummerz!

 

Pep Boys was going to charge me over $800 for all 4 shocks. Parts and Labor. That's why I decided to do it myself.

 

That's about right, list price + flat rate

front shocks list @ $155.ea. rears @ $135.ea. +2.6hrs labor.

Your quote from the shop I work at would be $858. +tax

Nice work doing it on your own and saving alot of $$$$$

 

It might not be what you are looking for but the bilstein 5100's are on sale for all 4 at 4wheelparts.com. and they were only 311 bucks for me Canadian money.so that is a God buy I think. I just got them the other day, they were on backorder for 2 months before I ordered and received them 2 weeks or so later.
Well the rearward backorder everywhere I checked.
My only question is: why do the fronts say assembled in USA and rears say made in Germany???? I thought all were German????

 

Nope, made right here in my state: O-H-I-O
8685 Bilstein Blvd, Hamilton, OH 45015
(513) 881-7600

Bilstein Shocks Manufacturing Facility - Four Wheeler Magazine