Installing Shocks

stirling33

Member

May 14, 2005

126

0

16

Grayslake, IL

Mar 28, 2006

#1

• Mar 28, 2006

• #1

I am going to replace my worn out shocks with a set of KYB's and seeing that this is my first attempt at this, is it best to one side at a time or to jack the front up put it on stands and do both sides. It appears to be pretty simple but just in case, is there any sort of things I should look out for.

 

NasaGT

Founding Member

Sep 19, 2002

1,993

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49

Virginia

Mar 28, 2006

#2

• Mar 28, 2006

• #2

When I did this, I jacked up the front end, put it on jack stands, and then did each side. Really a simple job, 4 bolts on each side if I remember correctly.

 

S

silverbluebp

Member

Aug 13, 2003

119

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16

Mar 28, 2006

#3

• Mar 28, 2006

• #3

I always put the car up on 4 stands and do them all.
Works for the 66 and worked great last week when I did the F250!

 

stirling33

Member

May 14, 2005

126

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16

Grayslake, IL

Mar 28, 2006

#4

• Mar 28, 2006

• #4

thanks for the replies, so safe to say this is not all that difficult.

 

geostang351

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Mar 30, 2005

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Danb., CT

Mar 28, 2006

#5

• Mar 28, 2006

• #5

Piece of cake!

 

68converted

Member

Nov 19, 2003

772

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16

Colorado

Mar 28, 2006

#6

• Mar 28, 2006

• #6

If you are doing the fronts, just keep in mind that if you put the front end up on jack stands, the travel of the wheel may be greater than the length of the shock. Makes it a PITA to get them off without loosing some flesh. Ask me how I found this out...

 

stirling33

Member

May 14, 2005

126

0

16

Grayslake, IL

Mar 28, 2006

#7

• Mar 28, 2006

• #7

One more quick question....when replacing the back shocks where is the best place to support the car with stands?

 

S

silverbluebp

Member

Aug 13, 2003

119

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16

Mar 28, 2006

#8

• Mar 28, 2006

• #8

I usually put the stands under the rear axle tubes, close to the ends, but not in the way of the shock. It gives a little more room under there with the rear suspension compressed.
You can also put them under the rear frame rails and let the axle hang.

 

M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

Founding Member

Feb 26, 2002

2,976

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56

North Carolina

Mar 28, 2006

#9

• Mar 28, 2006

• #9

If you have a hard time accessing the lower frt. nuts, it helps to turn the wheel.

 

HookandLadder

Founding Member

Feb 17, 2001

261

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17

St Louis

Mar 28, 2006

#10

• Mar 28, 2006

• #10

Put penetrating oil on the top nuts on the front shocks and let it soak in good. You'll thank me later.

 

J

John Z

Founding Member

Sep 21, 2000

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Morgantown WV

Mar 29, 2006

#11

• Mar 29, 2006

• #11

68converted said:

If you are doing the fronts, just keep in mind that if you put the front end up on jack stands, the travel of the wheel may be greater than the length of the shock. Makes it a PITA to get them off without loosing some flesh. Ask me how I found this out...

Click to expand...

Since the car will be on safety stands, your jack will be available to jack up the lower control arm so the shock doesn't need to be fully extended.

 

Jester67

Member

Sep 21, 2004

908

1

18

TN

Mar 29, 2006

#12

• Mar 29, 2006

• #12

HookandLadder said:

Put penetrating oil on the top nuts on the front shocks and let it soak in good. You'll thank me later.

Click to expand...

KROIL proof that God loves us and wonts us to be happy!

 

B

BornInAFord

Member

Apr 22, 2005

199

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Bend, OR 97701

Mar 30, 2006

#13

• Mar 30, 2006

• #13

It is sometimes easier to unbolt the upper shock bolts when the car is on the ground and the tires are loaded. When the upper bolts are loosened, turn the top of the shock 90°. This allows the top of the shock to drop down a bit when the car is jacked up and the weight of the suspension pulls down on the shock. This way, you don't need to jack the suspension up to relieve the tension.
Daniel

 

H

HHStang

Member

May 15, 2003

566

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16

Coastal SC

Mar 30, 2006

#14

• Mar 30, 2006

• #14

I believe there is a right sequence to doing the fronts and it can be not easy. Do you all recommend he put lower nuts on first then attach upper shock mount and top nut, or attach top nut to shock mount, then do lower nuts? Mine are done, and keeping in mind I operate at idiot level, it was not "easy". I had to pry down on the shock to get enough thread through the rear stud to get the nut to thread, then again, I probably did it wrong and I admit to being a moron.