I just ordered new Bilsteins. Question is it required to remove the springs and shocks as an assembly to change shocks? Or can they be changed with the springs left in place and only remove the shocks?

 

Remove springs and shocks together, it's a strut assembly. You'll need to get a spring compressor to safely disassemble the old one and assemble the new one.

 

I thought what was on the 03 up Expy were coil over shocks, not struts. There are no spring perches on our shocks like on struts. So my question still stands. Has anyone installed new shocks on an 03 or newer without taking the spring assembly out of the truck and only sliding the shocks out ?

 

I guess my terminology could be wrong, struts vs coil over shocks. Bottom line is you have to take the assembly out, disassemble with a spring compressor and reassemble. I replaced the fronts and rears on my 03.

 

OK how far do you have to drop the lower arms to get the assembly out? Is it just the three top bolts and the bottom bolt? I guess it's time to buy a spring compressor. Actually the front does look pretty straight forward is the rear the same?

 

It's been about 2 years so I don't remember all the details. I think I let it fully droop. I do remember trying to compress the spring while it was still on the truck for the first one, that was totally unnecessary and made removal more difficult. Make sure you have the right size sockets for the bottom, 3 on top are pretty easy. It's easy to change all 4 in a day. I had a light-weight spring compressor from my father-in-law and I killed it. Borrowed one from Autozone (loan-a-tool) and it worked great, so make sure you get a good one. I think the rears were easier than the front, but I learned a lot by starting with the front.

 

Good Thanks