Shock Replacement_Coilover assembly....How to?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 220
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From: Texas
Shock Replacement_Coilover assembly....How to?
I'm looking into replacing my stock shocks with Bilstein units....
What is the best method for dealing with the front coilover shock design?
My Haynes manual says to take the whole shock/coilover assembly to a shop and have them compress the spring.
I've heard of using a floor jack to support the lower control arm and shock/coilover assembly. Loosen the upper coilover and shock nuts, then slowly lowering the jack to relieve the spring tension.....Or I can buy/rent a spring tensioner.
Please any advice from anyone familiar with replacing shocks in the coilover assemblies.....
What is the best method for dealing with the front coilover shock design?
My Haynes manual says to take the whole shock/coilover assembly to a shop and have them compress the spring.
I've heard of using a floor jack to support the lower control arm and shock/coilover assembly. Loosen the upper coilover and shock nuts, then slowly lowering the jack to relieve the spring tension.....Or I can buy/rent a spring tensioner.
Please any advice from anyone familiar with replacing shocks in the coilover assemblies.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: altoona
you have to take the hole assemble out and use a spring compresser
the jack methed will not work on theise truck and is to dangers
you can get a loaner spring compress tool from the auto store and use it
the jack methed will not work on theise truck and is to dangers
you can get a loaner spring compress tool from the auto store and use it
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: SE MN
Use the spring compressor. Will help you out in the long run if run into the same problem i had with the nut. Here is how to get the assembly out and how I dealt with the nut on the shock.
To get the assembly out, remove the tie rod so you can push the spindle to the side to gain room. Remove the upper ball joint. Unbolt the assembly from the top (held in by three little nuts, a ratcheting wrench works awesome for this ) and the bottom (you are going to need a BIG socket for this). The assembly should now come out.
I did a lot of research before I did this and no where did I find anyone having problems getting the nut off of the shock. I could only get it to come about half way before it stopped. The major issue for me was that the shaft spun when I tried to take the nut off. So I had to hold the shaft and try to unscrew the nut. I ended up loosening it as far as I could and then I used a cut off wheel to cut the shaft. To do that, I really had to compress the springs. That is why I would definitely go with the spring compressor.
To get the assembly out, remove the tie rod so you can push the spindle to the side to gain room. Remove the upper ball joint. Unbolt the assembly from the top (held in by three little nuts, a ratcheting wrench works awesome for this ) and the bottom (you are going to need a BIG socket for this). The assembly should now come out.
I did a lot of research before I did this and no where did I find anyone having problems getting the nut off of the shock. I could only get it to come about half way before it stopped. The major issue for me was that the shaft spun when I tried to take the nut off. So I had to hold the shaft and try to unscrew the nut. I ended up loosening it as far as I could and then I used a cut off wheel to cut the shaft. To do that, I really had to compress the springs. That is why I would definitely go with the spring compressor.
