Question about changing shocks.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 138
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From: White House TN.
Question about changing shocks.
Does anyone out there know of a tool or an easier way to change shock absorbers on 99-08 Econoline vans? I have a fleet with 4 E-250s and the last time I changed the shocks front or rear was a pain in the rear. I was just wondering if there was a tool or some way to get to the upper nuts a little easier. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
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i use a flex-head ratcheting wrench, and reach in around the back side of the shock tower. its a little tight, but really not too bad. once you start getting the whole shaft to turn, you can put a wrench on the shaft itself and turn the shaft back and forth while only holding the top wrench steady and moving the one you can reach. i've never had that much trouble with them, probably in part because i have a good assortment of tools
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
When installing the new shocks use anti-seize or grease after tightening the nuts so they're a bit easier to remove should you do this again. I use Bilstein which have huge wrench flats under the threaded stems that'll make removing them so much easier.
Hope your project goes well!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 138
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From: White House TN.
Thanx for the info. I never thought about cutting the shock off at the top bolt, that makes a lot of sense. It will definatly be easier as far as getting the stock nuts loose. One question, do I leave the bottom bolts tight while doing this or do they need to loosend or removed completly?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'd leave the bottoms attached because the shock will be more stable during the cut. I found this out the hard war! 
BTW if you remove your spare now would be a good time to lube the cable. My winch had never been used and was nothing but a huge chunk of rust, had to be replaced. I used a product called Fluid Film which our own moderator Crazy001 first brought to my attention.
HTH
BTW if you remove your spare now would be a good time to lube the cable. My winch had never been used and was nothing but a huge chunk of rust, had to be replaced. I used a product called Fluid Film which our own moderator Crazy001 first brought to my attention.
HTH
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