Shock and Strut Install - Done!
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Shock and Strut Install - Done!
I just wanted to give this board a big thanks. I followed these instructions and everything turned out fine.
pretty easy actually
you'll need to rent a spring compressor from the parts store
tool wise, you'll need:
30mm socket
1 1/16" wrench
basic combo wrench set
vice grips
big *** hammer
spring compressor
-unbolt your sway bars
-unbolt the upper control arm ball joint from the knuckle.
-remove the 30mm nut from the lower joint on the coil-over
-unbolt the 3 nuts from the top of the coil-over
-use that big *** hammer to seperate the upper control arm from the knuckle
-lift the upper control arm up, and allow the lower control arm to fall down
-remove the lower bolt from the coil-over and lift the coil-over out
-use the spring compressor and remove the spring from the shock
-install new shock into springs
-reverse the process
I did cheat a little by pulling the struts out and actually had Sear's replace the shock in the struts. The spring compressor I borrowed from O'Reilly's was not strong enough to compress the spring or I was doing something wrong.
2004 F150 SCREW
Lariat 4X4
105K and riding smooth
pretty easy actually
you'll need to rent a spring compressor from the parts store
tool wise, you'll need:
30mm socket
1 1/16" wrench
basic combo wrench set
vice grips
big *** hammer
spring compressor
-unbolt your sway bars
-unbolt the upper control arm ball joint from the knuckle.
-remove the 30mm nut from the lower joint on the coil-over
-unbolt the 3 nuts from the top of the coil-over
-use that big *** hammer to seperate the upper control arm from the knuckle
-lift the upper control arm up, and allow the lower control arm to fall down
-remove the lower bolt from the coil-over and lift the coil-over out
-use the spring compressor and remove the spring from the shock
-install new shock into springs
-reverse the process
I did cheat a little by pulling the struts out and actually had Sear's replace the shock in the struts. The spring compressor I borrowed from O'Reilly's was not strong enough to compress the spring or I was doing something wrong.
2004 F150 SCREW
Lariat 4X4
105K and riding smooth
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 17
From: New Castle, PA
I also did this this weekend, but i did not unbolt the sway bar, i unbolted the tie rods. Worked out fine though. I also cheated. I took the struts to my father in laws NAPA and had him compress the spring and swap out the strut.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville,CA
I've never heard of unbolting the sway bar...what does that do?
The spring is a tough venture without air tools....I did mine with an air wrench it was cake....but then I helped a friend out (no air tools) and ended having to use my 3/4 drive with a 20" lead pipe to get the spring down....also helps if you have a table vice.
All in all a 30gal compressor is the best investment made so far in the garage...other than the truck that parks in it!
The spring is a tough venture without air tools....I did mine with an air wrench it was cake....but then I helped a friend out (no air tools) and ended having to use my 3/4 drive with a 20" lead pipe to get the spring down....also helps if you have a table vice.
All in all a 30gal compressor is the best investment made so far in the garage...other than the truck that parks in it!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville,CA
My .02
I've never heard of unbolting the sway bar...what does that do?
The spring is a tough venture without air tools....I did mine with an air wrench it was cake....but then I helped a friend out (no air tools) and ended having to use my 3/4 drive with a 20" lead pipe to get the spring down....also helps if you have a table vice.
All in all a 30gal compressor is the best investment made so far in the garage
...other than the truck that parks in it!
The spring is a tough venture without air tools....I did mine with an air wrench it was cake....but then I helped a friend out (no air tools) and ended having to use my 3/4 drive with a 20" lead pipe to get the spring down....also helps if you have a table vice.
All in all a 30gal compressor is the best investment made so far in the garage
...other than the truck that parks in it!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 6
From: Cajun Country
I'm sorry,I could not resist replying to this......but its all in fun!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Is an alignment necessary? I can't really understand why the alignment would be off.
No air tools - but definitely gave some ratchet wrenches a workout.
The 30 mm lower strut bolt came off pretty easily with a long heavy duty half inch socket wrench.
No air tools - but definitely gave some ratchet wrenches a workout.
The 30 mm lower strut bolt came off pretty easily with a long heavy duty half inch socket wrench.
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