Shock replacement
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New User
Joined: Jul 2005
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Shock replacement
I have a 1971 F250 and it is in need of new shocks. I would call myself mechanically inclined but do not have much experience under the hood out side of fan belts, hoses, etc.
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What advice can you give me on how to replace my shocks and what tools will I need.
Am I better off to pay someone or is it time for me to broaden my mechanical skills?
Thanks for your feed back.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>What advice can you give me on how to replace my shocks and what tools will I need.
Am I better off to pay someone or is it time for me to broaden my mechanical skills?
Thanks for your feed back.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 129
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From: Fayetteville, N.C.
It's really not that big of a deal. You can do it with regular hand tools in a couple of hours. Juice all the bolts and nuts up with penetrating oil the day before you are going to do it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,691
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Replacing shocks is about the easiest thing you'll ever do by yourself. One thing to remember. New shocks come with the piston compressed and held down by a little plastic thingy that has a loop on each end. Kind of like a plastic rubber band. Don't cut that as you get it out of the box. If you do the piston will uncompress and shove the shaft out. Then when you go to install it you have to compress it by hand. It ain't impossible but it requires some muscle. Instead, install the bottom of the shock and prepare the bolt/washer/rubber grommet for installation on the top and then cut the plastic thing. The shaft will expand upward into installation position all by itself and you won't have to do any grunt work.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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It is easier if you remove the tire to do the fronts. You don't need to remove anything to do the rears.
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Finished the job
You guys were right, it is not that big a deal to replace the shocks. I used your imput and applied some liquid wrench early in the week and again this morning before I started. Removing the bolt on the front left was a little rough but with a little leverage it succumbed.
While under the truck I did notice a spot at the top of the springs where a second shock could fit but no bracked existed at the bottom so I don't know how a second shock would work on my truck.
The only think I am wondering about is how tight to tighten the top nut.
Feeling good about myself.
Thanks.
While under the truck I did notice a spot at the top of the springs where a second shock could fit but no bracked existed at the bottom so I don't know how a second shock would work on my truck.
The only think I am wondering about is how tight to tighten the top nut.
Feeling good about myself.
Thanks.
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From: St. Libory
Jackford, I just changed my shocks and was wondering the same thing for a second. On the top of the stud there should be two flat spots that you can get a crecent (or any other adjustable wrench) onto to hold it still while you tighten it down. When you get everything secure you should go for a ride, my 69 felt like a whole new truck (well except for the loose steering)