Advice on Shock Install
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Advice on Shock Install
I plan on changing the shocks in my 2003 F-350 7.3 4x4 for the first time.
Any tips or advice would be great.
Figured I would soak the studs/nuts the night before. Do I need to jack the truck up at all-seems like there is more than enough room to get under it?
I tried the search function, but nothing came up.
Thanks
Any tips or advice would be great.
Figured I would soak the studs/nuts the night before. Do I need to jack the truck up at all-seems like there is more than enough room to get under it?
I tried the search function, but nothing came up.
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,825
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From: Az
I jacked up the front end when I did mine,made it real easy without the wheels on.No need to jack up the rear,just make sure you DON'T cut the strap on the shock until it is mounted on the bottom then you can cut it and mount up top.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
You can also take one of those 1" wide ratcheting straps and use it to compress the shock to the right height so the holes line up without you having to push on it.
You don't have to take the front wheels off, but it does make it easier.
You don't have to take the front wheels off, but it does make it easier.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
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From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
As I mentioned in another thread on this - if the upper long threaded bolts are rusted on the front shocks, just take a reciprocating saw with a metal blade and cut them off just above the nut (I don't know why they put 2 inches of extra thread on these). This will speed up removal of the old ones on the front as there isn't much room to turn a wrench in there. The ideal tool on the front ones is a ratcheting box end wrench (19mm or 21mm - can't remember off hand).
No need to remove the front wheels but you want to jack up the front end to take pressure off of the shocks.
No need to remove the front wheels but you want to jack up the front end to take pressure off of the shocks.
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Senior User
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From: San Antonio, Texas
I thought on the pre-2005 super duties, the leaf springs held the axle on (with the u-bolts), too. When I had my 2003, I didn't jack up the truck when I replaced the shocks. But, as stated, that and taking off the wheel might give you more room if you need it. I'll look around for a link on how to change shocks.
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
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From: SW Idaho
Yes it is... luckly i had a tall jack near by. I then read the instructions that came with the shocks stating "Caution" support the axle before removing the shock! My truck has coils up front not leafs.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
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From: Breckenridge, TX
Wait wait wait, you took off the shocks, and the axle almost fell out? 
What about the trac bar, steerling linkage, panhard rod, radius arms, etc etc? You mean it just extended further down after the shocks were removed, there was no 'falling off" here.
What about the trac bar, steerling linkage, panhard rod, radius arms, etc etc? You mean it just extended further down after the shocks were removed, there was no 'falling off" here.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: San Antonio, Texas
TXTECH--you beat me to it! I just did the front of my 05 this morning--There are at least five things holding the front axle on. But, if you take off the shock and trac bar (and brake), I can see how things can get scary if the axle isn't supported.
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From: SW Idaho
