Shock install question
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Junior User
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Shock install question
Could use a little help/advice...
Just replacing the front shocks on my 05 2WD Ex. Got one shock off (finally - that stud was really long and at less than 1/2 turn at a time it took quite a while).
With the shock out I'm left with a pretty sturdy rubber bushing that the shock stud ran though. Looks like the new shocks (Bilstein) came with a two part bushing set up which will be easy enough, question is how does the old rubber bushing come out?
Can't see any way to pry it out, guess I could try cutting through it.
Read a bunch of posts here and nobody talks about the original rubber bushing being a problem. All THEY talk about is how they replaced all four shocks in an hour with no jack. Probably took me 15 minutes to get it up on jack stands so I could work easier, another half hour to get one shock off and now 5 minutes to write this!
The rears were real easy, the fronts not so much (for me at least)...
thanks for any ideas/advice
Just replacing the front shocks on my 05 2WD Ex. Got one shock off (finally - that stud was really long and at less than 1/2 turn at a time it took quite a while).
With the shock out I'm left with a pretty sturdy rubber bushing that the shock stud ran though. Looks like the new shocks (Bilstein) came with a two part bushing set up which will be easy enough, question is how does the old rubber bushing come out?
Can't see any way to pry it out, guess I could try cutting through it.
Read a bunch of posts here and nobody talks about the original rubber bushing being a problem. All THEY talk about is how they replaced all four shocks in an hour with no jack. Probably took me 15 minutes to get it up on jack stands so I could work easier, another half hour to get one shock off and now 5 minutes to write this!
The rears were real easy, the fronts not so much (for me at least)...
thanks for any ideas/advice
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
With the shock out I'm left with a pretty sturdy rubber bushing that the shock stud ran though. Looks like the new shocks (Bilstein) came with a two part bushing set up which will be easy enough, question is how does the old rubber bushing come out?
Can't see any way to pry it out, guess I could try cutting through it.
Where is the bushing?
On my 4x4...the bushings were pressed into the upper and lower shocks themselves.
When I removed the upper stud nut and the lower shock bolt and nut...the bushings stayed with the shocks...
So I'm not sure what bushing you are talking about...did the upper one stay ON the stud?...is that what you mean?...sorry...I'm having a hard time visualizing what you are talking about...perhaps the 4x2's are a different setup than my 4x4?...
I even went out and just looked at my front shocks...
Sorry I can't help right now...can you post a picture?
Joe.
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A picture - much better than my lousy description. Don't know how to post a picture?
It's the top - the rubber bushing appears to go through the mount. The top threaded shaft/stud of the shock ran through the bushing, nut attached to shaft below the bushing, nut with attached washer on the stud down onto the bushing.
It's the top - the rubber bushing appears to go through the mount. The top threaded shaft/stud of the shock ran through the bushing, nut attached to shaft below the bushing, nut with attached washer on the stud down onto the bushing.
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You need to cut that bushing out but if you just take a large screwdriver or a prybar and hit it a few times you will cut it. Also run the new nut up the threads on your new shocks so you will be able to turn them easier, the paint can be a real drag.
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Thanks Phil
I figured that out - I just cut the bushing off and installed the new two part bushing.
The threads actually did not have any paint on them so no problem with that.
The Bilsteins for the front have a hole on the top of the shaft to receive a 6mm Allen key so you can hold the shaft from turning while you tighten the 3/4" lock nut down on the bushing plate. Bit of a pain to get at, no way down on top from above at least in my truck. Found a way to do it though - cut a 1" piece of allen key and clamped it in my vise grips, wiggled it in from the side of the wheel well (below the rigid mud shrouding and behind the removable shrouding) and wedged it against the side.
From there is was just a little tedious turning the nut 1/2 turn at a time with the 3/4" wrench.
Got it all done and the truck feels great!
I figured that out - I just cut the bushing off and installed the new two part bushing.
The threads actually did not have any paint on them so no problem with that.
The Bilsteins for the front have a hole on the top of the shaft to receive a 6mm Allen key so you can hold the shaft from turning while you tighten the 3/4" lock nut down on the bushing plate. Bit of a pain to get at, no way down on top from above at least in my truck. Found a way to do it though - cut a 1" piece of allen key and clamped it in my vise grips, wiggled it in from the side of the wheel well (below the rigid mud shrouding and behind the removable shrouding) and wedged it against the side.
From there is was just a little tedious turning the nut 1/2 turn at a time with the 3/4" wrench.
Got it all done and the truck feels great!
