Ok guys just a quick question on a shock install. I am planning to replace all four shocks along with my steering dampner. I was just needing to know if I need to "hang" my suspension prior to removing the shocks or if I can remove them with the truck on the ground? If do need to hang the suspension,I would assume that I would have to jack it on a place other than the differential, correct?

Thanks in advance for the help,

Dave


1998 1500 4WD Long bed

 

I removed mine without hanging the suspension, but I have a 2WD, don't know about the 4WD suspension, but I think you'd be okay.

The shocks don't actually absorb the bumps in the road, that's what the springs do. The shocks just stop the springs from bouncing up and down after the initial impact. At least that's how it was explained to me.

 

no need to let the susp hang just let it sit on the ground and change one at a time...

 

Correct, no need to lift it. You'll be surprised at how easy they are to do.

 

as stated earlier, no need to lift the body at all but, depending on how stiff the new shocks are, you may want to lift the front enough so you dont have to compress the shocks too much to re-install the shock towers. based on my experience compressing the shocks can be a bear...

 

i disagree. you don't really need to hang it, but its easier if you jack up the body a good bit to extend the shocks. not all the way off the ground. place the jack under the bumper or frame. if you don't jack it up a little, as you loosen the 3 bolts on the shock towers, the shocks will push up on the towers, making things harder than they need to be. also makes install easier. same with the rears. you'll probably want to drop the spare to get to the top bolts. be sure and torque the front lower bolts to 100 lbs or they will rattle under your feet.

 

Here is a little tip for you that a lot of people overlook.
When you take you shocks out of the box cycle them a few times from fully extended to fully compressed. You might find that sometimes you get an air pocket in the shock from laying down on the parts shelf for anextended time. when you compress the shock the first couple of time the first inch of travel may offer little resistance. After a few cycles this should be gone and the shock should have smooth even resistance the full travel. I always do this first and then keep the shocks propped against the wall with the proper end up while I remove the old shocks. same goes for struts.
This way you'll never get any strange banging noises over small bumps. this procedure may also cure noisy older shocks (that aren't leaking) as well.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I just finished putting on four new shocks. The whole job only took about 2 hours and that was with basic hand tools and a first time job. It was suprisingly easy andI did it with the truck sitting in the driveway. No need to lift it.

 

Yep. Pretty awesome huh. Congratulations.
BTW, I replaced the front struts on my ex's 96 4-Runner on Saturday. Easy. But the rear shocks on that thing seem impossible to get to the top nut. Didn't even do them cause I could barely get my hand in there much less some tools. Sooooooooooooooooooo glad I have a truck!