shocks

[rhino_50]

What is the best way to remove front shocks. From the top or the bottom. Thanks Rhino50

 

[PHeadings]

From the top. Remove the three bolts in the shock tower. Undo the bottom bolt and it will lift right out.

 

[RTillery]

Cali-600 is right. You should have them out in just a few minutes. I assembled the towers on the new shocks and slipped them back in. Do the bottoms first, and then prepare to compress the tops down to get the tower bolts started. If you have a helper, it is pretty easy. By yourself, you will need to come up with a compressor stick of some kind to lean on and hold the shock down. A little tight on the drivers side but you will get it. I used a trekking pole shortend up to lean on and reach down with the nuts. Good luck!

 

[AndyMan]

Far as I know, top is the only way to get them in/out... Just like the other guys said. I did my Bilstein 5100's by myself. There was NO WAY that I was going to get them compressed to get the tower caps on. I sat and stared at it for a while, then realized that I could put the floor jack under the FRAME (one side at a time) and raise the truck while letting the axle droop (stay on the ground). Basically the same as using a frame lift... axle's droop. Once I did that, the shock tower caps rested on the mounts with the shock at full extension. Bolted them down to the mount, lowered the drivers side, tightened the shock bolts, then did the same thing for the passenger side.



Hope that makes sense. Lemme try one other explanation.

Steps for 1 side (drivers):

1: Remove 2 shock bolts

2. remove the 3 nuts that hold the shock tower cap on.

3. Remove shock tower cap and the shock

4. cut retaining band off new shock, drop shock in place.

5. start lower bolt in shock, snug up bolt.

6. Place retainer on shock, and rest the tower cap on it.

7. place floor jack under frame just behind front tire.

8. raise the jack until the shock tower cap is resting on the tower mount and the studs are sticking through the mount holes in the tower cap.

9. install and torque the nuts on the studs to hold the tower cap in place.

10. lower truck, center shock in mount, install and torque nut on the shock.

11. torque lower bolt.

12. Repeat for passenger side.



Sounds complex, but took all of an hour tops.



Good luck,

Andy

 

[HOBrian]

I just replaced mine yesterday. The pass. side came out with the shock tower and the shock at the same time. However how did you guys do that with the driver side?? I had to take the tower off the shock and then take the shock out.

 

[milehigh.o.]

Will this be the same for when adding the leveling kit spacer, or will spring clamps be necessary?

 

[AndyMan]

I did the same. My post may require clarification. Through all the steps I posted, the shock and the tower came in and out separate. It took quite a bit of finesse to get the drivers tower out. I don't think the shock could come with it as the tower has to be turned on its side to come outside the truck.

EDIT. I did sort of the same for my leveling pucks. Put jackstands on both sides of the frame, and lowered my axle with a floor jack. You have to get the frame up REALLY high to let the axle droop far enough to get the springs out and back in. I did NOT use spring compressors. Those things are VERY dangerous.

 

[rhino_50]

I put my shocks on today. Everything went well thanks for all the help. Rhino50

 

[JCastilleja]

[/QUOTE]

9. install and torque the nuts on the studs to hold the tower cap in place.

10. lower truck, center shock in mount, install and torque nut on the shock.

11. torque lower bolt.

[/QUOTE]







Thanks for the info. What are the torque specs? I am going to be putting on a set of Bilstiens soon, thanks in advance for the help.