Cant remove air line from rear shocks.

[jdbq]

Bought a pair of Monroe MA822 because my rear shocks are shot. I've got the wheel off and was ready to go but the air line doesn't move at all. I was able to move that cap back after liberally applying WD40 but the air line will not budge. Im afraid of snapping it in half if I try to be too aggressive with a plier.

I was really hoping this would be a lot simpler but of course its always 1 thing that holds me back. Hour+ already and Im no where near finished.

So what do I do now?

[jdbq]

follow up:

So I called it a day. The air line will not budge. I've never done anything like this so Im not sure what the end of an air line even looks like. Im thinking maybe the line is still pressurized so maybe I have to de-pressure it but again I have no idea how that would work.

Gonna give it one more go tomorrow, then its off to the service center where Im sure I'll be charged an outrageous sum, but I need this car up and running and I can't be throwing money at tools and this and that for what was supposed to be a simple procedure. Don't know what I was thinking that this would be as easy as the videos I saw show it as.

[bogard985]

Just use a razor blade (not scissors) and cut the line off as close to the old shock as you can. Thats what I did with mine and many others have done.

[jdbq]

but how would i reattach the line on the new shock if i cut the end off? how would it stay in place?

[96 SSEi]

get a pair of pliers and clamp the hose where it the connects to the metal tube - stay on the metal partso you dont break the line- from old shock and twist it a bit then pry it off with a screwdriver......

there should be a clip on it - the last guy prob. lost it and glued the line....lol

[jdbq]

Well its going in the shop. I tried my best but the air line wouldn't budge, so I cut it as close to the connector as possible. Was planning on using compression fittings and the Monroe air hose kit and splice the connectors from that to the existing line.

So I just wanted to remove the shock and get the new ones in. Worked on the first 10mm bolt on the control arm but it was very tight. I had put a good amount of WD40 overnight but it was no help. After a few turns the head sheered off and was in my socket. Pretty much got deflated and threw my hands up in defeat.

I just don't have the tools to remove a stuck bolt like that. I sent off a couple of quote requests from some independent auto repair shops in town. My days of going to Firestone or a chain is over. Hopefully I can bring my new Monroes but if not I'll get a refund. Was hoping to really do this myself but the car is just too old and corroded in places.

[96 SSEi]

ooo.....that happened to me also, I got a vice grip and slowly worked out backwards- from the top.nice and easy and you may want to file a flat spot on the bolt to get a good grip......good luck

[jdbq]

Update: Took it into an independent mechanics shop. They used the shocks I bought. $161 total. They replaced the air lines. I can't remember the last time the car ran this good. I feel a lot more confident just driving about. Im taking corners more aggressively because I just couldn't do it before without bouncing and feeling floaty. Now everything feels planted.

I really wish I had done this years ago before everything became corroded as hell but there it is.