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PM For Shocks

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rbattelle

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Whilst under my truck today changing my axle fluid, I noticed the passenger side upper shock bolt/nut looked a bit corroded. So when I finished the axle fluid I decided to pull the upper bolt and clean it up so shock changes would be easier down the road (I'm still running on the original stock shocks). That little 10 minute job turned into a 2 hours. :rolleyes:



I found significant corrosion on all the shock bolts and inside the shock eyes (where the bolts pass through the shock). I'm attaching 3 photos. The first one shows the passenger side upper shock bolt and nut before I cleaned them up. The second shows the passenger side upper shock eye. The third shows the driver's side lower shock bolt. Notice the significant corrosion. The passenger side upper shock area was by far the worst. On the driver's side, the upper bolt was pretty clean and rust-free. The lower bolt on the passenger side looked pretty much like picture 3.



The bolts are M14x2. 0. I used a thread file and steel wool to clean up the nuts, bolts, and shocks, then liberally applied anti-seize lubricant to everything. I also discovered that the upper shock mount on the passenger side had accumulated no small amount of rust, so I cleaned that up with some steel wool and shot it with some rustoleum.



If you decide to tackle this job, you'll need a 13/16" socket and box-end wrench, a thread file (or a tap and die size M14x2. 0), and some anti-seize.



Oh, how I wish they would use more stainless nuts and bolts on vehicles where Grade 8 is not required. Or at least coat them with an anti-seize compound at the factory.



-Ryan :)
 
Ryan, this Ohio weather is not forgiving. I was under my truck today putting on a set of running boards and I was shocked to see the amount of rust and corrosion present. It makes me wonder what kind of shape the truck will be in a few years :rolleyes:

-Dave
 
Isn't road salt wonderful? Living in the snow belt is hell on vehicles. My new J&J running boards look like hell after the winter we had, and the mounting hardware is solid rust!
 
Do your shocks still seem to be working well after 44,505 miles?



I've got about 35,000 miles on mine. Seems like quite a few people are changing them before they reach this many miles. The Bilstein 5100's seem to be quite popular.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)
 
Buffalo said:
Do your shocks still seem to be working well after 44,505 miles?



Yes, I think they're in fine shape. They have plenty of damping left in them, in my opinion.



Greg,

You mean your shocks have heim joints on them? The Fox racing shocks? I'd love a set, but I'm not wealthy enough to afford them. :(



-Ryan
 
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