After 102K the shocks really needed replacement. Front ones were really easy, but the rears appear to have been installed before the truck had a bed on it with no thought as to replacing them.


Anyone have a trick or special tool to get the rear upper shock bolt off on a 4th Gen? The nut sits just below the frame and doesn't allow any sort of socket on it. The shock bracket and bed keep me from just using an open end/box end wrench on the nut side. Only thing I can imagine that might work is a crow foot.

 

no help from the service manual, sorry OJ...

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle (Refer to 04 - Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting - Standard Procedure).
2. Support the rear axle with a suitable holding fixture
3. Remove the shock upper bolt (1) and nut.
4. Remove the shock lower bolt (3) and nut.
5. Remove the shock absorber (2) from the vehicle.

 

Yup, not real useful and you can skip steps 1&2 by just laying under the truck.

 

the bolt is a 18mm , the best way to unbolt is to take a 18mm key and cut in half and it would fit perfect , but you loose a full key after

 

The bolt and nuts are 21 MM and cutting in half isn't even close to fitting.

 

Stopped and picked up a crow foot 21mm and that did it. Basically you reach over the frame, put it on the nut and then use a wrench on the bolt side which jams the crow foot against the shock mount. Kind of a pain, but hopefully won't need to do it for another 100K

 

OJ hit it right on the head, with the 21mm crow foot; i didn't have one, but i had a 21mm wrench, so i cut the open end side off, did the trick.

 

Seems like whatever engineer designed that mounting arrangement should be forced to change a few pairs of shocks Something as simple as a nut with a square plate on it so that it wouldn't turn would be a huge help. I understand why they wouldn't want to weld the nut on - seems like a potential rust out item so being able to replace it is a plus.

 

Oldjeep, did you go with OEM or aftermarket replacement shocks?

 

Monroe reflex