Should I attempt to replace my front and rear shocks? Are they shocks or struts? Is it relatively simple to do? I'm a rookie here so please help and advise. My van is a 1988 B150.

 

They are shocks, and yes now would be a good time to replace them. If possible I would wait for a warmer day though. If they have a lot of rust on them you might want to start spraying some WD-40 or such oil on the mounting bolts to help loosen them up when you are ready to replace. On the front upper you may have to use a pair of vise-grips to hold the shaft when you remove the nut. Lower mounts and rear shocks are fairly simple on changing out.

 

The front can be a pain in the butt if you don't have the right tool. Go get you an offset ratchet wrench set and you'll get the job done much easier and quicker.

 

I just did all four on my '97 B2500 and it was easy. The rears are a cinch and only took 20 minutes for both sides to R/R.

Fronts are a little more difficult since you have to jack up and remove the wheels. Lower two bolts should come out fairly easily. Use large Vice Grips to hold hydraulic cylinder (thru the front spring) from rotating and remove top nuts with socket wrench + extra deep socket. Fifteen minutes a side for these.

Put Never-Seez on the bolts and also on top threads of the front shocks.

 

I've checked the shocks on my '93 b250 and they definately need replacing.. problem is I'm in the UK and importing shocks, say from Rockauto, looks pretty costly. Does anyone know other shocks fitted my van that I could probably pick up easily in the UK or how to check? I'm guessing I can match another shock to the size and weight of my van??

thanks

Wilbo.

 

You should be able to get KYB in the UK. Front is KY344066 and rear is KY344073. Bilstein also has rears - WO133-1608712.