Shock install in process

[DiscoJen]

I am in the middle of the changing my rear shocks. I have already read the tech article but I am having some extreme difficulty and need help.

My shocks came compressed with a wire to hold the compression. Got everything ready, pulled the wire but the shock fully opened before I could get it on. I keep trying to push it back in but it instantly opens back up. I am not strong enough to attach the top mount and compress it to slide in the bottom mount. Shucks, I pretty much have to pivot my whole body weight on the shock to get it to compress in the first place. The wire can't go back on and I can't leave the wire on because it's mounted to a little steel insert over the bottom threaded mount, so it has to come off before hand unless I am missing something.

Is there such a thing as a shock compressor? I called around to the auto parts store and they keep trying to give me a spring compressor. doh!

Thanks in advance!
Jen

 

[bri]

Those must be some strong shocks never had that problem.

Maybe some bailing wire?

Brian

 

[Ron]

get a cheap rachet strap from home depot and make it happen. the other option is to find a nice strapping young lad and have them compress it once you have one end on.

Ron

 

[JLS]

When I replaced my rear shocks, I atatched the top part first, not totally, and then compressed the shock and guided it in the lower attatchment hole as it decompressed. Hope that helps.

 

[Steve83]

Get the wire back on, with a helper if necessary. Insert the top end (with the bushings) and attach it loosely. Cut the LOOP of the wire at the top, and the shock should pull the loop out of the bushings. The wire should fall away off the bottom end as the shock expands, but it's not important. Make SURE the bottom end (with bushing) is guided into the lower mount. If the wire is still on it, cut the LOOP and pull the wire out, with pliers if necessary.

 

[DiscoJen]

That sounds like an offer!

the other option is to find a nice strapping young lad and have them compress it once you have one end on.

Ron

rofl Now if I had a strapping young man here I would have been done already! Actually, I found several problems along the way that made compressing the shock almost a necessity. First, my floor jack is crap and my stock jack started the processing of dying after I got into this project. I don't have a garage or driveway so I was dealing with my jacks sinking in the soft Florida sand. My yard is deeply dimpled by the forklifts the city used for hurricane clean up. All of these problems kept me from getting everything up high enough so that I could drop my suspension low enough to slip it on.

After luckly being able to get ahold of Extreme Jeep, a 4x4 shop/store here, the owner sold me his hi-lift jack. The honey bought it for me as a birthday present so that was even better! I ended up denting the crap out of rear bumper due to a poorly placed jack point and more issues with the damn dimpled and sandy work surface. But it did the trick and I was strong enough to compress the shock just barely enough to git'er'done.

Next time I'll be smart and do it at work where I have a better array of tools available. Thanks for all the quick advance; I finished just before it got too dark outside to work.

Now....if someone could get me that strapping young lad...

 

[DiscoJen]

Omg!

Wow!!! What an improvement! This has truly been the most satisfying DIY project that I have done on my truck. Just got back from my little test drive and I am amazed at the difference. Thanks again for all the help to get me through it!

Jen

 

[Steve83]

The honey bought it for me...

Now....if someone could get me that strapping young lad...

Does your "honey" read your posts, and where was HE while you were under your truck???

 

[DiscoJen]

I plead the 5th

Uh-oh, you're not gonna tell on me? lol I'll plead the 5th on the ground that I may incriminate me! I can't go giving away all my secrets now can I...? roflmfao

 

[rover4x4]

peace

 

[Steve83]

Well... Then maybe I DO know the answers to my questions... Wooooohoooooo!

 

[Alyssa]

Jen,

Glad you got it sorted, if you are down by sarasota and see a short red haired woman driving a white gold 02 SD with the saftey devices roof rack wave. She is my mother in law. You reminded me of her with your signature.

Ron