Shock absorbers and springs - Rear - Saab 9-5 tutorial

[Deepblue]

Need a little help/suggestions... trying to replace a worn set of rear Bilsteins B6's ... Things were going well, got the rusty nut off the top of shock and the bracket off. Then realized I couldn't get the rest of the bushings, dust cover and bumper off, due to what looks like a rusted sleeve just below the threads. I am putting in a set of OE B4's not the B6. There is no sleeve or hardware with the new shocks, just the nut.

[Digger]

Heat and beat. I use an acetylene torch, but not everyone has one handy. A map gas torch set from the local home store will get the job done, just takes a little longer. Heat the stuck sleeve all the way around until it starts to glow, that will burn the rust free. When ready you can wrestle it free with pipe wrenches, or hang the shock in a half open vice like it's a broom or rake and give the thread end a good whack with a big hammer.

[Deepblue]

Heat and beat. I use an acetylene torch, but not everyone has one handy. A map gas torch set from the local home store will get the job done, just takes a little longer. Heat the stuck sleeve all the way around until it starts to glow, that will burn the rust free. When ready you can wrestle it free with pipe wrenches, or hang the shock in a half open vice like it's a broom or rake and give the thread end a good whack with a big hammer.

Is this sleeve needed for reuse on the new shock ? I don't remember this sleeve when I did the shocks 5 years ago.
g

[Digger]

Is this sleeve needed for reuse on the new shock ? I don't remember this sleeve when I did the shocks 5 years ago.
g

If you're keeping level control you need the sleeve.