2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Shocked over shocks

[Hddriver]

Anyone else have trouble with removal of front shocks?



It took me an airchisel, impact wrench, and torch yes I said a torch, a grinder and 4... count'em 4 hours to do the job. Wish I could have taken pictured of this.



The flange keepers for the lower ends of the shock mounts were squeezed in and nearly made it possible to remove the shock. Had to grind about a total of 1/4 inch off the width of the trail blazer shock to install.

All said and done a lot of satisfaction in doing the work.

I would not let this beast win.

Shocks are great look good but / no bilstein but good an inexpensive.

BTW I tried to buy bilsteisn and was told by the factory guys in CT that there were none in the country.

 

[Neibe]

You should have put Rancho RS9000X shocks on I had no trouble installing them it took me 1 hour to do the front and back. I am very impressed with there performance loaded or unloaded.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Hddriver, I fully understand what you went through. I helped install RS9000's on my counsin's '97 and the front passenger side lower mount was nasty to get off. The flange was squeezed in and the metal shock bushing had worn into the side so it was almost impossible to remove. It took lots of baring, hammering and even a jack under it. It was so stuck I was able to lift that side of the truck.

 

[Bill Littlefield]

Same trouble, not so bad

I've changed mine twice recently (more in a minute).



It appears that the stock shocks are a little narrow and when tightened to spec, they bend the ears in a little. I was able to put a pry bar in at the base with the tires removed. From there I could pry them out. I put on Rancho 9000's and they were too wide. I used a grinder to take about 1/16 off of each side.



Since I put a lift on last week, I had to change out my new Ranchos for a longer set on the front. I had the springs and with a couple of good swings was able to bend the flanges out a little. This made it much easier to get the new ones in. When you drop the front axle clear down and unbolt the sway bar, the front springs fall right out.



I may have a set of Rancho 9000s to sell. They only have 4K miles on them. Stock 4x4. Factory springs too but I'll post more info in the want ad section.



Bill

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by Neibe

You should have put Rancho RS9000X shocks on I had no trouble installing them it took me 1 hour to do the front and back. I am very impressed with there performance loaded or unloaded.

1 hour is almost unbelievable, do you work for a pit crew?

 

[cmckinney]

It took me 6 hours to put 4 new shocks and new springs on my truck when I did this job. I had all the tools necessary and still it was difficult to take off the front shocks. I can't imagine taking off the RS9000's now since I had to torque them down so much to get them to stop rattling.



1 hours and minutes seems way to quick. Must be nice to have such an easy install.



-CM

 

[QRTRHRS]

No trouble getting the stock out but,

I discovered the tight ears/wide bushing syndrome after I had fished my right side Bilstein in and tightened the upper nut up. No way I could pry it in so I pulled it back out and ground the bushing down until it slipped in.



Lesson: test fit the lower bushing when your putting in your new shocks.

 

[TPCDrafting]

The right front on mine was tough too. It probably took 45 mins. to get out the old one. Finally I used a little bearing grease on the ears, then with less friction I was able to beat out the old one with a beater board and hammer. I filed the paint off the edges of the bottom bushing and greased it good, it went in with little effort. The LF was much easier and the backs I did in about 20 minutes. This is all w/o any air-tools.



I put on Bilsteins, they are widely available in the US. I was able to shop around even and got the best deal going through off road warehouse using the TDR discount.



The ride was greatly improved as the original shocks were toast. It still is a truck ride, but I like it!

 

[Pit Bull]

I understand that Dodge beefed up the front shocks on our trucks in 2000. Does anyone know what they did? Is it a different shock then what they used in the past? As soon as I save a couple of $$ I will change mine to Bilsteins

 

[damon]

I don't have an older Ram to compare, but if the shocks on my 2002 were better than the past, I can't imagine how terrible the old shocks were. I changed my OEM's to Bilstein in less than 3000 miles 'cause I couldn't take the bouncy front end - some of the best $$ I've ever spent.

 

[curatchko]

I put trailblazer SSV's on mine a few weeks ago and it went smooth. Probably 2 hours for front and back. Really the only hard one was the front drivers side... . and that was because of all the lines and such above the shock.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by damon

I don't have an older Ram to compare, but if the shocks on my 2002 were better than the past, I can't imagine how terrible the old shocks were. I changed my OEM's to Bilstein in less than 3000 miles 'cause I couldn't take the bouncy front end - some of the best $$ I've ever spent.

I agree, but believe it or not they did beef them up I plan on having Bilsteins on mine by the time I have 5000 miles on it and I know what you mean about the bounce. I had Bilsteins on my 2000 3500QC 4x4 and it was the best improvement I made to the truck.

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

1 hour is almost unbelievable, do you work for a pit crew?

My fronts took me just over an hour as well. FWIW the truck had ~100k miles on it at the time.



It appears that some are having problems with their shock install. I'm just glad it wasn't me too.

 

[merryman]

On my '01, factory shocks were OK, but I changed to Rancho 9000s at about 25K. No sweat getting old ones off or new ones on. With the Ranchos, it was better, but not remarkably so.



Vaughn

 

[Extreme1]

The first time I removed my front shocks it took hours and a tourch for the ultimate removal. Then someone told me the easy way: grab the top of the shock and rock it fore and aft while pulling up. It will walk right out. It did.



I've had the Rancho's out twice, piece of cake...

 

[KYOUNG]

shocks

I have changed shox 7-8 times on my ol 94. The problem you run into is the monkey on the assembly line with a 500lb air wrench collapsing the bushing in the shock I took a piece of 1/4 inch plate aluminum that would just fit through the

front of the shock mount slot, with the truck jacked up in the air than I just dropped the truck down and let gravity and 6800 lb push the shock out... works good! Than you can lift truck up and pull frt springs out and take a half inch bolt about inch and a half long screw a nut on it put washers on each end and use as a jackscrew to spread the shock mount back out to the width needed for new shock installation Bilstiens are best

 

[Pit Bull]

Sounds like the $25 a piece that my local guy charges to install is a good deal.

 

[Neibe]

Yep 1 hour 2 minutes 39 seconds it was the easiest install yet I wish every install went as well.

 

[gsbrockman]

I tried the Monroe Reflex shocks on my truck. I had one of the techs at the S&S Tire in Lexington, KY. (where I work in sales) do the installation for me and he had all four installed in about 1 hr 10 mins. My truck is equipped with the Camper Special package, so he decided it was easier to lower the spare and swing the sway bar out of the way to do the rears. The 4" Magnaflow may have caused a little intereference--can't remember for sure. The Reflex's are stiffer than stock and lots less bouncy. My old shocks were only showing 30K miles and weren't that bad, but with the buy 3---get 4th free deal, I decided to try them, and I'm glad I did. The truck handles better and is much better on dip-infested roads.