Shock replacement technical question...

[LSUDenver]

I put on an RTE 2" lift last weekend, but didn't have my new shocks in yet. Now that I have them, I want to put them on.

OK, here's the question. Can I pull the shocks and replace with the new shocks without using jacks or stands?

It seems like the springs do the supporting and I could just pull the front two lower bolts and the four shock tower bolts and the truck would be fine while I change out the shocks and replace the towers.

Comments?

BTW, on the driver's side (left for the brits) the tower is surrounded by an A/C aluminum hose and the 4 ABS lines. How the hell to you pull that tower without tearing up those lines..?

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

I think you could. At least I'd try it. But have a jack & stands handy.

The key is in compressing the shocks to a shorter length than distance between its mounting points while the springs are supporting the truck. And holding it while you attach the bolts.

Yea, the shock tower - Be sure that bitch is seated tight before putting the nuts on. Those things are made of really soft steel, (edit D1 comment) and the threads can strip.

As i say, keep a jack handy for an inch or two of final positioning.

No comment on the AC lines, I got a D1.

Good luck.

 

[rmuller]

Yes, you can switch shocks with the truck on the ground, not on jackstands or anything... it makes it a lot easier to work if you could take the tire off.. but its possible without.. its not hard to compress shocks by hand if they are like OME or Procomp.. something like a Bilstein 7100 is much stiffer and difficult to compress.

 

[LSUDenver]

Yes, I didn't clarify, I would pull the wheel and put a jack or chock under the axle.

I was just trying to think how I could do it without having to put the frame on stands and all, but it sounds like I will need to basically secure the vehicle just like I did when I put in the springs.

Probably should have waited and done it all at the same time, but you know how it is with new toys!

 

[rmuller]

yeah, the shocks will compress so you can slide them in without having to articulate the axle to make them fit.. I'd jack it and throw a jackstand under the axle though.. can never be too careful... I had a truck slip off of a jack this weekend, thankfully we had 4 jackstands under it.