Alright so I went to my shop to get an estimate for new shocks all around and he said $390 for Heavy Duty shocks and the labor to install them. Does this sound reasonable?

Because it looks like I could get 4 KYB HD shocks for $160.. And are these shocks easy enough to replace with hand tools, socket wrenches, etc. cause I don't have any power tools, or is it really something that is somewhat labor intensive?

Thanks

 

Hand tools is all you need. Do it yourself!

 

depend on how rusty the bolts are. Sometimes shocks can be a b#$ch!

 

Hand tools and pb blaster...had mine done in about an hour n a half

 

Alright thanks guys! It looks easy enough to do with hand tools but just wanted to double check. Does the truck need to be jacked up? Sorry I have never changed shocks before.

My dad told me to use the PB blaster and just keep spraying the bolts down a few days prior to changing out the shocks. Any recommendations on brands? Monroe, KYB... ?

 

definitely keep spraying all the bolts a few days in advance. as for the brands, you usually get what you pay for but theres alot of experienced people about this

 

No, can do it in the drive way no issue.

Thats good sound advice. You can also use a mapp gas (like propane just a lil hotter) If you run into a issue, that is. Its hot enough to heat the hardware at hand. Get it cherry red and then quench it with cold water. Will free the worst stuck bolt/nut... No need for the big blue torch here..
Seeing you were about to spend 390, there is your new budget. I say get a set of rancho RS9000's But the choice is yours.

GL, Justin

 

I just had shocks installed in my '94 F150. I paid about $280 for the shocks installed and the serpentine belt installed. I was there while the mechanic did the job. He used the lift, but did not lift the truck very high at all, just enough to remove the tires.

I'd say it's a fairly simple job to do, but it will be labor intensive and will require power tools to make it more doable. Could have done it myself, but for the $85 that he charged me, it was well worth it I ended up using Monroe shocks for the price (they were the least expensive by far). If you can get good HD shocks for $160, it's a no brainer, hurry up and get them. For the fancier shocks I was quoted nearly $100 each!

Oh yeah, after the new shocks, the truck rides and steers a lot better! Believe it or not, the steering play became mush less noticeable!!

I will say though, if you are not pretty strong and used to working on trucks, you might wish you had never started doing it yourself. Maybe I'm unusual, but I find handling the wheels and tires to be pretty hard and my back hurts like hell after taking them off and back on. Remember, you got to do it 4X and the lug nuts can be on there really tight! I would want to have an impact wrench for sure to do this job, and at least a very good floor jack & jack stands.
Remember, you'll need to jack up the axles slightly up or down to fit the shocks mounting screws into the mounts. You'll need the jack after your truck is off the ground a little bit.

Good luck!

 

Man, you are fast! It took my mechanic over one hour to do it in the shop, with all the power tools. And I was there and saw that he knew what he was doing and wasted very little time....

Correction, I thought I read that it took you one half an hour!... One and a half hours is still pretty good

 

Yeah.... I imagine it taking maybe an hour per shock doing it by hand
However I'm the weirdo that enjoys doing things myself IF I can. I've done quite a bit with a cheap set of walmart tools
That being said I think it's personal preference
Depending on the labor charges it might be nice to pay someone and sit in a comfy chair and wait

 

I would think you are right about 1 hr/corner. That's probably what I would take me to do it. I did the front brakes, including rotors and the clock spring, the door cable fix, radiator flush, complete tune up, and other stuff too. I don't mind work on whatever I can and I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. However, I wont deny that some jobs are very physically difficult. Almost too much for me without an extra hand for help. Also, it does take me a lot longer than a lot of guys claim that it takes them. I don't want to make somebody think it's easy and them getting in over their heads...

 

Guys its two nuts and bolts per a shock here... 45 mins to a hour with rust is average with hand tools. yet this is not a slacking pace... With guns you can just snap them off and its even faster. Front tires need to come off for better access. But the rears don't. It's not a big job ... Stop scaring the kid.

 

its not really necessary to do it in advance... but its good to do right b4 u start and sometimes every couple of turns.

do not get Monroe shocks their cheap get Rancho or something =... As long as u keep ur original receipt and box ends u can exchange Rancho's when they wear out !!!!!!
You do not need to take off the tires but if u take off the front it will be a little easier. If u have single front shocks just cut the wheel to the opposite side.
While im at it taking tire off is not hard at all i can change all for tires on any five lug vehicle in like 20 minutes and im not full of ****... this guy must not have ever work a day in his life if that is hard to him!

an hour per shock thats crazy if u work hard at it no longer than an hour and a half for all 4 with PB Blaster wire brush (neither required but will help) racket/sockets and wrenches

 

- for the front shocks taking the front tires off make it a little easier because it gives u room so i would do it. take the nut off the top sometimes its a pain since worn out shock just like to spin and some dont have a place to put a wrench on to keep it stationary while ur taking the nut off the top thats where air tools come in handy... then do the bottom bolt. its good to jack the truck up on the frame right behind the radius arm bracket to drop the shock out of the spring bucket and then put the new 1 in.
-for the rear shock u will need to take the bolt out of the bottom of the shock that holds it to the axle 1st then drop it out of the mount... then take the nut off the top and slid it off the stud.

if u only have 4 shocks i would say no longer the an hour and a half with
-jack
-ratchet/ sockets
-wrenches
-wire brush
-PB Blaster

 

yea i would say you will be better off taking the tire off.and use a nut splitter on the top bolt if it wont turn. and you need to use a jackstand for sure. just take your time easy work
yea fronts only