99-04 Shock Mounting Torque Specs?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
99-04 Shock Mounting Torque Specs?
I just tore my whole house apart looking for my factory service manual on CD, and methinks the wife scurried it away into unknown territory! (She loses CD, I leave the seat up, even trade...I guess?) 
I'm itching worse than poison ivy to get my Bilstiens installed on my truck by the end of today and I need to know the torque specs front and rear.
What I've gathered off the internet is 76 lb/ft fronts, 46 lb/ft rear, this sound right?
Thanks guys, hopefully by the end of today, I'll be riding on clouds. . .well anything would be riding on clouds compared to stock shocks with 110k miles on them!
OH! Also, I know this is a sensitive and touchy subject here on FTE, but which way are these damn things supposed to be mounted, boot up, or down?? Conventional wisdom tells me boot down, since mud/sand/small woodland creatures would get trapped inside the boot, if it was mounted in the up position. But then there are the ninnys who say, "Dun't matter, them Bilsteins, themz sez you kan mount 'em any which way yu whant." So. . .which is it, convention, or ninny-dom?
I'm itching worse than poison ivy to get my Bilstiens installed on my truck by the end of today and I need to know the torque specs front and rear.
What I've gathered off the internet is 76 lb/ft fronts, 46 lb/ft rear, this sound right?
Thanks guys, hopefully by the end of today, I'll be riding on clouds. . .well anything would be riding on clouds compared to stock shocks with 110k miles on them!
OH! Also, I know this is a sensitive and touchy subject here on FTE, but which way are these damn things supposed to be mounted, boot up, or down?? Conventional wisdom tells me boot down, since mud/sand/small woodland creatures would get trapped inside the boot, if it was mounted in the up position. But then there are the ninnys who say, "Dun't matter, them Bilsteins, themz sez you kan mount 'em any which way yu whant." So. . .which is it, convention, or ninny-dom?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Shock Absorber Torque
According to my 03 shop manual, the fronts are 76 ft/lb top & bottom, and the rears are top 46 ft/lb and bottom is 41 or 46 ft/lb depending if the shock bolts directly to the axle housing or to a bracket that is clamped to the axle with a u-bolt. If the shock bolts directly to the axle housing (Dana--Dually), the torque is 46 ft/lb. If it bolts to a bracket that is U-bolted to the axle tube (Ford axle), then the torque is 41 ft/lb.
RON
Last edited by Rongold; Aug 30, 2007 at 09:12 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
If it helps -
Torque specs differ from each shock manufacturer a bit. It's always best to go with the shock manufacturer recommends
when possible when it's a threaded stud end.
Different shocks have different diameter (thickness) threaded shafts, and some use a compression nut.
So there can be some slight differences among products (you don't want to over tighten and strip the threads, or worse, break the shaft end off).
The biggest mistake is to use a power tool. Many times I have seen the threads literally ripped off and then snap the end.
If the torque refers to a factory bolt, a bolt you are reusing, or goes through the shock loop, the factory settings should be fine.
(if the shock instructions don't say).
Torque specs differ from each shock manufacturer a bit. It's always best to go with the shock manufacturer recommends
when possible when it's a threaded stud end.
Different shocks have different diameter (thickness) threaded shafts, and some use a compression nut.
So there can be some slight differences among products (you don't want to over tighten and strip the threads, or worse, break the shaft end off).
The biggest mistake is to use a power tool. Many times I have seen the threads literally ripped off and then snap the end.
If the torque refers to a factory bolt, a bolt you are reusing, or goes through the shock loop, the factory settings should be fine.
(if the shock instructions don't say).
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Rongold & ShockGuys,
Thanks for the replies, Rongold you were spot on with the torque specs.
I had one heck of a time getting those shocks into place, them suckers are STIFF! Each time I went to install one, I wasn't quick enough on the draw after cutting the compression strap to get the bolt lined up with the hole. Shock would go to full extension, and I'd have to muscle it back down.
Bilsteins are on, and I'm loving the way the truck rides now, like it's on rails!
Thanks for the help guys!
Thanks for the replies, Rongold you were spot on with the torque specs.
I had one heck of a time getting those shocks into place, them suckers are STIFF! Each time I went to install one, I wasn't quick enough on the draw after cutting the compression strap to get the bolt lined up with the hole. Shock would go to full extension, and I'd have to muscle it back down.
Bilsteins are on, and I'm loving the way the truck rides now, like it's on rails!
Thanks for the help guys!
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