2006 Dakota Quad: Need help installing Rancho shocks on front
#11
05-05-2009, 10:09 AM
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Thanks! I printed these out and they made all the difference. Thanks to everyone else too! I finally got one installed. Ran out of time last night doing the second. I'll do that one Saturday. Once I had the instructions the hardest part, as mentioned, was getting that rusty old nut off the top of the old strut! I had to drill it to pieces! I could heat it up due to the rubber gasket covering the surrounding area. Next time, I think I'll pay for the install. LOL. I thought since I have a compressor and impact tools I could do anything. It was definitely an education for me! 
According to the procedure in the factory service manual you should be able to get the assembly out with what you've done. When I had mine out I was following the instructions Trailmaster provided with their leveling kit ( http://www.trailmastersuspension.com...ions/DL223.pdf ) which also had me remove the tie rod end and upper a-arm from the steering knuckle which lets you drop the lower arm further. If you can manage to get some compressors in there and compress the strut it should come right out and would probably be easier, if you do it the way Trailmaster shows be sure to get an alignment after.
#12
05-06-2009, 12:15 PM
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#13
05-06-2009, 04:18 PM
When I was working on mine I ran into the same problem so I took the struts to a local shop that had a wall-mounted spring compressor, takes no time at all with one of those.
#15
05-07-2009, 11:10 AM
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