Shock Absorbers
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 241
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From: Long Island, New York
Shock Absorbers
How hard is it to install front shock absorbers???? Sears wants $122 to install them... I thought that if the shocks were $15 a piece and they look relatively easy to install that I should install them myself.... Right???? How do you do it???
-Chris
Big Red Ticking 92 F150
Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick
-Chris
Big Red Ticking 92 F150
Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 82
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Shock Absorbers
the front shocks is not hard to do if you have a lift, i think sears want to much i just had four bilsteins installed on a 93 flareside and i only paid $60 shop around if your not going to do the work your self
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 684
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Shock Absorbers
It is "easy" provided you have the tools and a place to do it, plus some basic knowledge. Why not have a motor-head friend over and have him show you how? For the price of a pizza you can learn how to do it. The reason I say this is that if you're inexperienced, you shouldn't start out underneath a truck that is up on a jack.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
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From: Durham
Shock Absorbers
I've done mine on the ground and it's not hard. Just a little awkward reaching around the tire. Suggestion: Keep the rear shocks tied down compressed and mount the lower bolt, then cut the tie wrap and guide the piston rod through the upper hole.
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 343
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Shock Absorbers
Easy as pie.
I did my Quad setup (thats 4 shocks on the front end of the truck) without a jack. Beware the rusty bolts will cause you trouble. I had two bolts I had to drill out, but other than that is was easy.
On the rear, the upper arm for the shock was a stud. Which for me broke off with the first turn of the wrench. The dealer carries the bracket but you have to grind off the heads to get the bracket off becuase it is riveted on.
When you take a look you will understand.
Randy
I did my Quad setup (thats 4 shocks on the front end of the truck) without a jack. Beware the rusty bolts will cause you trouble. I had two bolts I had to drill out, but other than that is was easy.
On the rear, the upper arm for the shock was a stud. Which for me broke off with the first turn of the wrench. The dealer carries the bracket but you have to grind off the heads to get the bracket off becuase it is riveted on.
When you take a look you will understand.
Randy
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 520
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Shock Absorbers
Probably one of the easiest things to work on your truck, in theory. One retaining nut at the top of housing and a nut and bolt through the lower housing on the bottom for front shocks. It's a simply installation, but have your liquid wrench or even better, Marvel Mystery Oil ready. I used both and let sit for a few days, then just before I started I sprayed with liquid wrench. Didn't help at all, bolts were completely frozen on, and they were for some reason grade 8 heated steel bolts. Broke out the Milwauki Sawzall and went to work. 3 hours later and 4 broken blades, the bolts were off and the new shockes were in. Turns out the lower bolt had frozen to the inner metal sleeve on the old shock. What a pain! Hope you have better luck than me!
Ryan
1986 F-250 HD 4x4
4.10 gears, C-6 tranny
351W, Edelbrock 351 Performer series aluminum intake
Edelbrock Performer series 600cfm 4bbl carb
Edelbrock Pro-Flo air filter
Flowmaster 30 series true dual exhaust w/ custom long headers
3" body lift by Warn
Ryan
1986 F-250 HD 4x4
4.10 gears, C-6 tranny
351W, Edelbrock 351 Performer series aluminum intake
Edelbrock Performer series 600cfm 4bbl carb
Edelbrock Pro-Flo air filter
Flowmaster 30 series true dual exhaust w/ custom long headers
3" body lift by Warn
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 241
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From: Long Island, New York
Shock Absorbers
Thanks for the help. Im assumming that my bolts are not frozen. The truck is only a 1992. I hope.
Thanks
-Chris
Big Red Ticking 92 F150
Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick
Thanks
-Chris
Big Red Ticking 92 F150
Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Shock Absorbers
Gimmee a break....
The worst scenario is rusted bolts!
A nut-splitter will cure it in minutes. And it's a useful addition to any tool box.
The springs carry the weight of the chassis, the shocks only dampen rebound. You're at no risk unbolting them.
The worst scenario is rusted bolts!
A nut-splitter will cure it in minutes. And it's a useful addition to any tool box.
The springs carry the weight of the chassis, the shocks only dampen rebound. You're at no risk unbolting them.
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