Installing Shocks, Need Guidance

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Sep 2, 2004 | 08:18 PM

nmarlowe

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From: VA, USA

Installing Shocks, Need Guidance

I am set to install my first set of front shocks this weekend on my 81 F150 2wd. I have never done this before, but it looks pretty straight forward. Or at least it did. Here is my issue. All of the repair books say jack up the truck, remove bolts and reverse for installation. No problem. But, I'm confused as to where to jack it up. None of the books specify except for regular jacking on the front axle. I thought when changing shocks you could not jack it up by the axle, but had to use the frame instead. So, trying to use the frame, my jack is to short (using a bottle jack 18"). I "jacked up" the bottle jack with a hunk of 4x4 and it was stll to short to get the wheel off. So, my question is, do I jack it up using the regular spot on the front axle? Once I get it up, the jack stands should be tall enough.

Thanks in advance for the guidance.

Neil

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:02 PM

alcan60283

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From: Tyrone GA

First of all, get a better jack ! You should at least have a floor jack. You can get those real cheap. Where i jack it up is right in the middle where the I-Beams bolt to. Theres a large cross beam where the oil pan sits. I put the cup on that lip and start jacking.this will rais the front end enough to do that shocks. Fron shocks are simple. You might not even need to jack it up. Just unbolt the top nut and then the bottom. With the new ones, they're pre-compressed with a piece of plastic. So all you have to do is put the top in first, and then lower the truck to brin the bracket up to the bottom of the shock. Put the bolt in, cut the plastic, and your done. Alter these directions any way you need to, but it pretty easy. You'll get it !

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:12 PM

nmarlowe

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From: VA, USA

I was going to get a floor jack, but for space and convienence reasons I went with the bottle jack. Plus, floor jack was 14" and bottle jack was 18".

As for leaving the wheels on, I'm killing 2 birds with 1 stone. I'm replacing both front tires as the tread is peeling off one and I won't be able to drive it anyway. So, I figured I'd do the shocks while I've got the wheels of anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

Sep 2, 2004 | 09:47 PM

locknkey

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From: Right Next to U

The last one I done was as Alcan described....I used a regular jack at the bumper, after the wheel was off the ground, (not much mebie an inch) loosen the top nut, and then let it come down, loosen the two lower bolts...and take it off, insert the other new shock with the plastic strap still connected, put the washer and rubber mount on the bottom before inserting the shock in the place where it goes, insert the top rubber mount, then the washer and tighten down the nut. Now thats its connected, insert the lower bolts on the bottom to the frame and tighten it. Take the strap off by cutting it, and the shock will expand upwards, then just lower the jack and do the same thing as you did before on the other side. The rear shocks usually have two at the top and two bolts at the bottom of the shocks, they are easy to get to, just don't jack it too far up as it could fall on you if someone leans on the body of the truck or its on uneven ground, or soft dirt...easy

Sep 3, 2004 | 08:35 PM

nmarlowe

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From: VA, USA

Ok, so I got one of the old shocks off this evening. Now, when installing the new shocks, I see no plastic piece keeping it compressed. I'm installing Monroe Sensa-Tracs if that helps. I figure that either I have to pull it apart or turn it. Any ideas? Or, now that I think about it, are they even compressed? I noticed that the wheel dropped a few inches when I unbolted the old shock (and it "shocked" me to, thought the truck was falling

) , maybe I just need to lift that up in order to screw the top nut on. I'll check that theory tomorrow.

Sep 4, 2004 | 01:04 AM

alcan60283

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From: Tyrone GA

Yup, just jack the i-beam back up. The shock acts as a limiter on the travel of the ibeam. Once its off, the spring will push the ibeam down to full extension. Just jack it up, put the nut on, and you're good to go ! Good luck and Have fun!

Sep 4, 2004 | 06:52 PM

nmarlowe

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From: VA, USA

Well, everything is on. Not too bad once I got the nuts broke loose. I'll get the new tires this week and put everything back on, and hopefully I will happy with what I've done. These might have been the original shocks (they sure felt like it).

Hopefully I'll be able to do the back ones next month. Just wondering, do I even need to jack it up to do the rear?

Thanks for everyone's help!