front shocks
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
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front shocks
i have an 85 e350 6.9 van. when i bought it it came with a set of front suspension which i am now trying to install. i have two questions:
i can get these shocks to close just by pushing by hand. should they be stiffer than that? they certainly feel stiffer than the old ones i just pulled off, they didn't come in any packaging...were just in a misc parts bucket that came with the van...and i'm wondering if they are still good. how stiff should they be?
also, i was able to get a wrench up on the nut for the passenger side shock, but the driver side is a real PITA. i can't even really get my hand up there. any tricks for taking that top nut off?
thanks
i can get these shocks to close just by pushing by hand. should they be stiffer than that? they certainly feel stiffer than the old ones i just pulled off, they didn't come in any packaging...were just in a misc parts bucket that came with the van...and i'm wondering if they are still good. how stiff should they be?
also, i was able to get a wrench up on the nut for the passenger side shock, but the driver side is a real PITA. i can't even really get my hand up there. any tricks for taking that top nut off?
thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
I bought some brand new shocks(Gabrial brand or something) off Ebay. Swapped them out for my old ones. The new ones squished much easier as well.
Turns out, it rides a lot better than it did. I guess that's what you want.
As far as getting the nuts off? 1/2 in. Heavy Duty Air Impact Wrench
You need a /heavy duty/ air impact to do it. And a decent air supply for it. Otherwise, you'll be rigging up like a 6' piece of pipe on a breaker bar.
Seriously, I've had that (relatively cheap) impact, and it will break amazing things loose.
That one is a direct knock-off of a high end Ingersol Rand one, and is very well designed. If it ever starts giving you trouble, you just pull it apart and re-lubricate it. And it's only got about a half-dozen moving parts.
You may also want an impact-grade universal, extensions, and 6-point sockets; both available from the same place cheaply.
If you are intending on replacing the bushings as well, it becomes a /really/ good investment... and I'd be surprised if they /didn't/ need to be replaced after this many years.
Turns out, it rides a lot better than it did. I guess that's what you want.
As far as getting the nuts off? 1/2 in. Heavy Duty Air Impact Wrench
You need a /heavy duty/ air impact to do it. And a decent air supply for it. Otherwise, you'll be rigging up like a 6' piece of pipe on a breaker bar.
Seriously, I've had that (relatively cheap) impact, and it will break amazing things loose.
That one is a direct knock-off of a high end Ingersol Rand one, and is very well designed. If it ever starts giving you trouble, you just pull it apart and re-lubricate it. And it's only got about a half-dozen moving parts.
You may also want an impact-grade universal, extensions, and 6-point sockets; both available from the same place cheaply.
If you are intending on replacing the bushings as well, it becomes a /really/ good investment... and I'd be surprised if they /didn't/ need to be replaced after this many years.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
Most shocks aren't designed to be springy and hold weight up, that's what springs are for. I have HD Bilsteins on all four corners(which I totally recommend, BTW), and I could compress them by hand. It was pretty tough to do that while under the axle trying to install them... But I could.
I'm sure most other brands would be even easier.
I am just getting into air tools, but if you don't have an air compressor I'd suggest the corded electric impact at HF. I've used the heck out of that beast for 4+ years and she hasn't slowed down a little bit.
Not as string as air stuff but will eat most of the bolts on these vehicles.
Use PB Blaster overnight for anything that's sure to be tough.
I'm sure most other brands would be even easier.
I am just getting into air tools, but if you don't have an air compressor I'd suggest the corded electric impact at HF. I've used the heck out of that beast for 4+ years and she hasn't slowed down a little bit.
Not as string as air stuff but will eat most of the bolts on these vehicles.
Use PB Blaster overnight for anything that's sure to be tough.
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