replaced shocks
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replaced shocks
Hello
just replaced the shocks on my 2000 Ranger. it's a 2wd with the 2.5L engine.
when installing the front passanger side shock, i was tightening the 15mm upper mounting nut. after it started to get tight, the bolt on the top of the shock started spinning with the nut as the nut was turned. i had to hold the top of the bolt with locking pliers to finish tightening. wasn't sure if I snapped off the bolt or if it was just the top part of the shock turning as the nut tightened up. does this sound normal? it's my first time changing shocks and i didn't know what to think of it
they were the originals after 110k and were shot. they had trouble even moving back out when pressed in by hand. i changed the rears first and noticed a big difference with a test drive. but after changing the fronts it did not seem any better. still wallowing like the old shocks. they were $25 Napa gas shocks.
now im noticing something strange. when i walked out to the truck in a parking lot today approaching it from behind i noticed the truck is tilting towards the drivers side. but it looks fine from the front. could it be that shocks take time to "break in"? just a guess. any ideas on what could cause this?
just replaced the shocks on my 2000 Ranger. it's a 2wd with the 2.5L engine.
when installing the front passanger side shock, i was tightening the 15mm upper mounting nut. after it started to get tight, the bolt on the top of the shock started spinning with the nut as the nut was turned. i had to hold the top of the bolt with locking pliers to finish tightening. wasn't sure if I snapped off the bolt or if it was just the top part of the shock turning as the nut tightened up. does this sound normal? it's my first time changing shocks and i didn't know what to think of it
they were the originals after 110k and were shot. they had trouble even moving back out when pressed in by hand. i changed the rears first and noticed a big difference with a test drive. but after changing the fronts it did not seem any better. still wallowing like the old shocks. they were $25 Napa gas shocks.
now im noticing something strange. when i walked out to the truck in a parking lot today approaching it from behind i noticed the truck is tilting towards the drivers side. but it looks fine from the front. could it be that shocks take time to "break in"? just a guess. any ideas on what could cause this?
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i've read here a few times that rusted shackles can be a problem on rangers so i made sure to check them out. to my suprise even though it is a PA truck they looked perfectly fine. thanks for the idea, i guess i will have to keep looking.
today i took all the shocks off and switched the ones on the right side to the left side and vise versa to see if maybe a shock was stuck open or drooping. but the same lean happened to the same side. i took out a tape measure and it turns out the passanger side rear shock is open 1/2" more than the drivers side. i don't know if this sounds like a lot or not but its enough to notice a lean looking from behind. the front is not as bad but the bump stop on the passanger side has about 1/8" more clearance.
today i took all the shocks off and switched the ones on the right side to the left side and vise versa to see if maybe a shock was stuck open or drooping. but the same lean happened to the same side. i took out a tape measure and it turns out the passanger side rear shock is open 1/2" more than the drivers side. i don't know if this sounds like a lot or not but its enough to notice a lean looking from behind. the front is not as bad but the bump stop on the passanger side has about 1/8" more clearance.
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you may be right about that. i can't say for sure that it was perfecty straight before changing the shocks. never noticed one way or another. the thing thats bugging me is it jumped out at me maybe half a day after changing them. i have also been hauling some heavy loads lately if that makes a difference. wheras in the past i never carried much in it and just used it to commute. i'll try to post a picture and maybe someone can say if they have seen rangers like this or not.
also forgot to mention that this truck is at 110k miles, bought it at 70k, and i do not know the last time it had an alignment. i have a set of firestone destination le tires on it. i heard they were supposed to be a long lasting tire but they almost need replacing. im only on pace to get about 30k miles out of them even with the easygoing driving i do. i don't blame the tires but my own fault for not getting an alignment. you don't a truck could need an alignment so bad it makes the body sits uneven?
also forgot to mention that this truck is at 110k miles, bought it at 70k, and i do not know the last time it had an alignment. i have a set of firestone destination le tires on it. i heard they were supposed to be a long lasting tire but they almost need replacing. im only on pace to get about 30k miles out of them even with the easygoing driving i do. i don't blame the tires but my own fault for not getting an alignment. you don't a truck could need an alignment so bad it makes the body sits uneven?
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