Replacing Auto Shocks
Shocks have different characteristics and can be used effectively to control the suspension and enhance the ride. The first shock is the standard basic oil filled shock. It does a fair job on smooth roads, however when they become overworked due to bumpy terrain the oil heats up, gets thin and they fail until they cool off. The next shock is the nitrogen filled shock. It does not heat up or fail from being over worked. This is the standard shock used on new vehicles. Heavy duty shocks offer more resistance for heavy loads. There are a multitude of special use shocks for enhanced handling for sports enthusiasts. Air shocks for vehicles that have varying loads like towing or heavy items in the trunk. These shocks can be raised or lowered with the use of air to keep the car level with the different loads. The last type are the stock shocks that are automatically stiffened by an on board air pump. They use sensors to sense the road conditions and a computer to adjust them. Most of these are found on high-end cars.
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Things You'll Need
- Set of open-end wrenches
- Set of star sockets or vise grips
- Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
- 3/8-inch ratchet
- Short 3/8-inch extension
- Long 3/8-inch extension
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
Instructions
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1
Raise the vehicle and support it on the jack stands. The front shock will either go through the front coil spring--or in the case of the trucks, on the outside of the spring from the frame to the upper control arm. For the shocks inside the coil spring, the shock extends up through the upper control arm with a single nut drawn down on a metal washer and a rubber bushing underneath. The shock's rod will just spin if not held while the nut is removed, so use the star socket or a vise grip on the top to hold it, and loosen and remove the top nut.
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2
Remove the bottom two bolts and remove the shock downward through the spring.
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3
Install the metal washer and a bushing on the threaded top end of the new shock, and insert it through the bottom of the spring and up through the top hole in the upper control arm. Usually, not enough of the threads will emerge through the top with which to put the bushing and nut on. When the vehicle is lowered, it will compress the spring and the shock tower will emerge enough.
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4
Install and tighten the bottom bolts. Do the same to the other side, then lower the vehicle where the tires touch the ground. Then slowly let it down the rest of the way until the shock tower stud is all the way up. Install the bushing, the washer and nut, and tighten.
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5
Replace the shocks on a truck by removing the top bolts first and then the bottom bolt. Install the new shocks by installing the bolts at the top and tightening, followed by slowly lowering the truck until the shock aligns with the holes in the upper control arm. Insert bolts and tighten.
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6
Replace the rear shocks by raising and supporting the vehicle by the frame. Place the floor jack under either side of the rear axle and lift that side slightly until the shock is slightly compressed and the axle is not hanging on the shock. Remove the upper bolts, the bottom bolt and the shock. Install the top of the shock first and tighten the bolts. Install the bottom bolt and lower the jack. Do the other side the same way.
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