changing front shocks to billstein - any input?

[nukegm]

comrades!

my 18 2500 - new front shocks coming tomorrow.4600. factory ones blown out/greasy/leaking etc.

any input on the swap? i have not even opened the hood or crawled under to have a look.

kinda dissapionted the factory ones only lasted 20k

thanks in advance for any input. cheers!

 

[gsbrockman]

PB Blaster is your friend.

The 4600’s have a recessed 6 mm hex head design to keep the piston rod from turning while tightening the nylon lock nut.

The OEM shocks have a better design. Going off memory, the piston rod had a 8mm or 9mm stud that protruded above the threaded portion of the piston rod. Slip on the right size wrench, and all was well.

 

[NIsaacs]

PB Blaster is your friend.

The 4600’s have a recessed 6 mm hex head design to keep the piston rod from turning while tightening the nylon lock nut.

The OEM shocks have a better design. Going off memory, the piston rod had a 8mm or 9mm stud that protruded above the threaded portion of the piston rod. Slip on the right size wrench, and all was well.

I really dislike that style, you can't use a socket and air gun. For removal, you might use a vise grip on the rod, if it is exposed. Some are, some not, then you can use a socket. I like the hex head under the bottom bushing. I would also jack up the frame so you don't have to fight to collapse the shock against the gas pressure.

 

[Jim W]

My son and I changed out my factory shocks at 113K and had to use a Sawzall to cut one shock off. The other stock shock we were able to loosen the hex bolt.
I am not sure on the newer models trucks, but we did have to remove the shock tower in the engine bay to remove and install the shocks.

 

[Cummins12V98]

New truck you will not have any issues!

 

[nukegm]

thanks comrades. changed them this am. jacking up the truck was a good idea. i was not aware how much you have to collapse the shock and how much " ass " you need to use to compress it. cheers!

 

[GrantP]

thanks comrades. changed them this am. jacking up the truck was a good idea. i was not aware how much you have to collapse the shock and how much " ass " you need to use to compress it. cheers!

I've used some colorful language in the past while installing those, it was worth the effort though. Enjoy the ride!

 

[Regcabguy]

My stockers came off the first week.
My wife could easily compress them. Mush.

 

[nukegm]

My stockers came off the first week.
My wife could easily compress them. Mush.

- i suspected something was wrong with the stock shocks when my truck all of the sudden behaved like a boat in a choppy surf. the drivers side one was total junk.i think a toilet plunger has more resistance than that old shock. pretty weak, in my opinion, for a " HD " vehicle.... cheers comrade!

 

[Badunit]

The 4600’s have a recessed 6 mm hex head design to keep the piston rod from turning while tightening the nylon lock nut.

Aside from not being able to use a socket, the hex can take only so much force before it strips. I soaked mine over a period of days and still the nut on one wouldn't come loose. I ended up having to hold the shaft with vice grips after the hex stripped. The shocks were going in the trash anyway so it didn't really matter.

 

[JackFate]

Could you drill a hole in shock to make the shock compress easier? I’ll tell you a ford van is crazy hard . And I’ve used vise grips, pipe wrench’s& yes a saws all