Do you think it was time for new shocks?
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From: Virginia
Do you think it was time for new shocks?
I replaced my original shocks yesterday with a set of Bilsteins. Check out the one I took off the drivers side rear. I think it was about time it was replaced. The rusted dust cover was actually scraping against the shock body and scratching the paint off.
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From: Maine
Naw, you could have gotten another couple years out of those, easily.
What does the rest of the underside of your truck look like, rust-wise? My factory shocks didn't look anywhere near that rusty when I took them off about a year ago, and that's a New England truck that's never really been garaged.
What does the rest of the underside of your truck look like, rust-wise? My factory shocks didn't look anywhere near that rusty when I took them off about a year ago, and that's a New England truck that's never really been garaged.
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From: Virginia
I bought the truck in the summer of '03 with about 13k on it (it was bought new by the previous owner in Dec '01) and we don't get much snow where I am in VA so I don't really have to worry about salt. But I do hose down the undercarriage when I do drive on salty roads. I think the rest of the truck has average rust for being a little over 5 years old. The other shocks were not rusted at all. The new shocks made a big difference though so I'm glad I changed them.
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From: Lynchburg, VA
CT, I have a set of bilsteins laying in the floor to install on my truck.....waiting for when my sons are home next on break. You wouldn't happen to know the bolt dimensions for the rears do you (top and bottom)....I want to buy in advance some stainless bolts to install the shocks. We do get lots of salt and everytime I replace something on my vehicles, I try to use stainless bolts.
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99, 4x4, off-road, 3.0L FFV, SCAB, M5OD
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99, 4x4, off-road, 3.0L FFV, SCAB, M5OD
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From: Virginia
pgw: I reused the stock hardware for the rear shocks and I'm really not sure of the dimensions. The new Bilsteins for the front (assuming you have the torsion bar suspension) should have come with all new hardware for mounting. The only new hardware you could use for the rear would be the nut and washer that hold the top of the shock on and the bottom nut and bolt. It seemed like the top bolts were welded on to the frame.
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From: Lynchburg, VA
Did you find it odd that Bilstein included the bolts for the front shocks but not for the rear? Wonder what their thinking is why they did not provide the mounting hardware for the rear?
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From: Perry,Ga.
Originally Posted by pgw85706
Did you find it odd that Bilstein included the bolts for the front shocks but not for the rear? Wonder what their thinking is why they did not provide the mounting hardware for the rear?
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
The top mount for the rear shock is integrated to the frame. The bottom is a simple bolt that could be replaced.
The front shocks' bottom mount is again integrated and non-replacable without some work. The top is a part of the shock.
...and wow...I thought mine were bad...they were dirty as everything, mushy and worn out, but at least solid...
The front shocks' bottom mount is again integrated and non-replacable without some work. The top is a part of the shock.
...and wow...I thought mine were bad...they were dirty as everything, mushy and worn out, but at least solid...
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From: Virginia
On my 2001, the bolt on the stock shock was integrated onto the shock itself, but the Bilsteins came with new bolts, washers, and nuts for the bottom mount for front shocks and new washers and bushings and nut for the top of front shocks. I figured I would just reuse the stock hardware for the rear anyway cause nothing was wrong with it. As for the front you really cant reuse any of the hardware which is why Bilstein is smart and includes it. If you want to use grade 8 or something instead of the included hardware and reusing the stock hardware, i guess you can but I dont see what difference it makes...the grade 8 would probably be stronger than the bracket on the axle itself and if you're putting your truck through that kind of abuse, you'll probably need more than a shock/mounting hardware upgrade.