Front Shock Replacement guide

[Wertles]

I have searched and came up a little empty of what I am looking for. I was hoping to see if there was a write up on how to change front shocks on a 3 gen truck (4WD preferably) complete with pics. All I seem to have found were tips to follow during the change. What I have so far is that it is easier if you jack the truck up and pull change them from the engine bay.



I replaced the rears last year and now at 85,000 miles, the fronts have given up. I find myself bottoming out at every bump now. I just ordered off some Bilsteins and wondering if I am going to tackle this myself or pay someone to do it for me. I am heading out for a longer trip in 2 weeks (secret for now, a new thread will be started when I get back with pics!) and want them done before I leave. It is currently 23 degrees and won't be much warmer before I leave. My garage is heated but I can't close the doors with the truck in so I am leaning towards having someone else do it for me. Also, I am assuming that I don't have to get an alignment done after the change like you would if they were struts or am I wrong.





Thanks in advance.

 

[wcjp]

Alignment not necessary. I did my Rancho's in the driveway. Never lifted the truck. It's straight forward. It was not 23deg when I did mine. I recall using a slightly different wrench to hold the new shock shaft in place while tightening the big nut. I removed the bottom nut/bolt last. I installed the bottom nut/bolt first. Did not tighten until the upper bolts were started.

 

[rscurtis]

Looking at your location, spray the lower bolts with penetrant before you start the job. You'll have to remove the upper towers before removing the shocks.

 

[LRutigliano]

Here is what I did:



- jacked up LF corner and put jack stand on frame rail behind front tire. This allows the front suspension to expand it to its extreme position.



- remove wheel well plastic liner. This makes the removal and installation very simple.



- soak the bottom bolt with penetrating lube.



- remove the top shock bolt and the 3ea tower bolts.



- install new. With the Bilsteins, they are very strong (very hard to compress), so install the bottom bolt first, then add the rubber isolator to the top (under the tower), and start the 3ea tower bolts. Then cut the plastic shock tie strap and guide the shock into the tower. Tighten the tower bolts, then the shock bolt.



Same for the other side...

 

[SWithrow]

This is from my 03 manual, hope it helps

 

[pjorlando]

Use SWithrow's attachment, it gives you the best description on the front shocks. I also agree with the idea of using some WD-40 or Kroil on all the nuts before trying to remove them. It really isn't a bad job, just looks that way. I would lift up the front end up enough to just have the tires touching the ground, unloading the suspension, than loosen up the top shock mounting stud firts, next the three mounting nuts. After taking the bottoms out, you should be able to pull the shock right up and out. I always coat everything with never sieze prior to reassembly, it make life so much easier down the road.

 

[Wertles]

Thank you all for the input. I called the dealer today and they want $200 to change them out. I figure that with TDR, I am going to tackle this myself. I am going to go out now and start spraying all the bolts so hopefully in a few days it will all go nice and smooth.

 

[HOBrian]

Word of warning!!! I had my Rancho compressor die on me and I needed to put the original knobs back on. I had good luck with the drivers side lower bolt, but I broke off the fingers that hold the nut on the passenger side. The nut and bolt just spin now. #@$%! I was lucky to get the knobs changed out, but I guess when the shocks die, I'm going to cut that one out.



If your going to do this yourself, make sure you time to go someplace to get a possible lower bolt removed before your trip.

 

[dragan54]

I know this is an older thread, but I ran into the same problem that HOBrian has. The nut spins and it looks like there is a metal flange that has broken or bent that is supposed to stop it from turning. Is cutting it off the only option?

 

[HOBrian]

I think you can either torch it off or cut.