Shock Absorbers
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Shock Absorbers
Hey guys (and gals??),
How many of you have installed your own Bilstein (or Monroe, or whatever) shocks? How difficult was it. I am a decent backyard mechanic, and have a decent set of tools, and the shocks don't appear to be that difficult a job. The main thing I can see is being able to compress them to the fittings, and possible getting a torque wrench up to the bolts in the rear. Am I way off on this. After spending as much as I will on the Bilsteins, I sure don't want to have to fork out that much again just to have 'em installed. Any advice, shortcuts, tricks, tips, special tools, whatever???
Ed
How many of you have installed your own Bilstein (or Monroe, or whatever) shocks? How difficult was it. I am a decent backyard mechanic, and have a decent set of tools, and the shocks don't appear to be that difficult a job. The main thing I can see is being able to compress them to the fittings, and possible getting a torque wrench up to the bolts in the rear. Am I way off on this. After spending as much as I will on the Bilsteins, I sure don't want to have to fork out that much again just to have 'em installed. Any advice, shortcuts, tricks, tips, special tools, whatever???
Ed
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Very easy to put shocks in.
What year? On my 2001, I believe most of the bolts are 15mm heads, and the nuts are "captured" so you don't need a wrench on the nut, at least in the front. The backs, 15mm again, but I think you need a wrench for the other side.
Putting them back, tighten until you can feel them hit the metal inner bushing, and tighten a little more - hard to say exactly how much, unless you have a torque wrench. A good 1/2" torque wrench that goes to 150-200 lbs would be a good idea for this job. There is such a thing as going TOO far.
Tell us what year, someone will get the torque specs.
What year? On my 2001, I believe most of the bolts are 15mm heads, and the nuts are "captured" so you don't need a wrench on the nut, at least in the front. The backs, 15mm again, but I think you need a wrench for the other side.
Putting them back, tighten until you can feel them hit the metal inner bushing, and tighten a little more - hard to say exactly how much, unless you have a torque wrench. A good 1/2" torque wrench that goes to 150-200 lbs would be a good idea for this job. There is such a thing as going TOO far.
Tell us what year, someone will get the torque specs.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
Thanks Krewat. It's a 2003. Probably doesn't matter, but it's the 5.4L Crew Cab, auto tranny. That's great news on the "backing" wrench. Sometimes those are a pain to get to.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
I put on the bilsteins recently... Piece of cake!
The truck is high enough that you can just crawl under. No need to remove tires, jacking, jackstands etc.
I used my cheapo harbor freight compressor and 1/2" pneumatic wrench, and it was about 5 minutes per corner. Maybe a few minutes longer with a hand ratchet wrench. Use a little dish soap or WD40 on the bushings to get them to slip on easily.
While they are pressurized, it really isn't hard to compress them by hand to get them to slip on. The pressurization is designed to prevent foaming, not to provide spring action.
I paid $240 delivered from these guys:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230124312207
The truck is high enough that you can just crawl under. No need to remove tires, jacking, jackstands etc.
I used my cheapo harbor freight compressor and 1/2" pneumatic wrench, and it was about 5 minutes per corner. Maybe a few minutes longer with a hand ratchet wrench. Use a little dish soap or WD40 on the bushings to get them to slip on easily.
While they are pressurized, it really isn't hard to compress them by hand to get them to slip on. The pressurization is designed to prevent foaming, not to provide spring action.
I paid $240 delivered from these guys:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230124312207
Last edited by pfb; May 4, 2007 at 01:04 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, NC
I bought my Bilstein HDs off of PerformanceCenter.com (they are listed on the Bilstein website as an authorized vendor or something like that) at $260 with free shipping for my 01 f250 stock suspension. They list the front ones as BE5-2818 and the rears as BE5-2819. Bilstein shows a different number for the rears on their website.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by krewat
....Tell us what year, someone will get the torque specs....
Front = 76 ft/lbs
Trending Topics
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 0
From: Marble Falls, Tx.
I just put a set on my 03 2WD last weekend. The right front was a PITA I could not get my 3/8 or 1/2 ratchet on the nut because of the a/c box. Just took a little patience and another beverage
. With the Bilsteins on a 2WD truck they mount with the boots "up". On the 4x4's the fronts mount boot down. Got them from eshocks $259 to the front door. I had one blown shock on the rear so ride improved tremendously!!
. With the Bilsteins on a 2WD truck they mount with the boots "up". On the 4x4's the fronts mount boot down. Got them from eshocks $259 to the front door. I had one blown shock on the rear so ride improved tremendously!!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bismic
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
50
Jun 26, 2018 08:47 AM
TexasA&M
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
17
Jan 8, 2013 05:45 PM