Mid perch and stuck set screw

[91stangy]

Hi All,
Searched through the mid perch sticky but didn't seemed to find an answer. My shocks are only a winter old with maybe 5k on them and the set screw was frozen in the perch. Broke two Allen keys and bent the last Allen before it stripped the screw. All with pbr blaster on it for 10-15 minutes before hand.

So what are my options. Bout to give up...

 

[cbcgeneral]

Hi All,
Searched through the mid perch sticky but didn't seemed to find an answer. My shocks are only a winter old with maybe 5k on them and the set screw was frozen in the perch. Broke two Allen keys and bent the last Allen before it stripped the screw. All with pbr blaster on it for 10-15 minutes before hand.

So what are my options. Bout to give up...

I just carefully drilled mine out since once you move the ring up there is no need for the set screw. You just need to make sure you are extremely careful not to drill into the shock body. If you drill it slowly and take your time there shouldn't be any issues.

 

[91stangy]

Is it possible to force it up without removing the set screw or is that gonna f up the housing and make everything look like poo?

 

[Zeke555]

My passenger side screw was stripped when I tried it the first time. Drilled it out carefully and it moved up to mid perch easily. Of course the driver side worked perfectly and came out with no effort with the allen key. I am not sure how much damage or how deep the scratches might be if you force it up.

 

[91stangy]

Guess I'm drilling... 5/32 drill bit?

 

[cbcgeneral]

Guess I'm drilling... 5/32 drill bit?

Use a bit the size of the hole I'm not sure of the size off hand. Depending on how much corrosion there is on your shocks but I had to use a rubber mallet to get the collar to move up.

 

[91stangy]

Brand new zero corrosion just entirely to tight for such a small screw... Perhaps fox could use a larger screw next time.

 

[cbcgeneral]

Brand new zero corrosion just entirely to tight for such a small screw... Perhaps fox could use a larger screw next time.

Ya tell me about it. I broke 2 allen wrenches too. If the collar is stuck though don't be affraid to hit it. I actually wound up using a 2x4 and had to beat the shit out of the drivers side shock on my truck. Good luck and try not to get too frustrated.

 

[mkelly984]

If your familiar an easy out and some liquid wrench, give that a try before drilling. I've had some luck with that method.

 

[Nv Guy]

Wow, I feel lucky. My set screws came right out, but both collars took a ton of beating with lube to break them free. I think the root cause is the collar is aluminum and the screw is steel. Probably a bit late, but maybe a bit of heat from a heat gun directed to the collar might expand things a bit and get the screw to let go?