How hard is it to replace shocks?

[Builder]

The nice thing about the GM front air shocks & rear airbags combo is that you can adjust them for any given sitaution: towing, empty or anything in between.

I would have to think they'd be nice for off roading, too.

Only bad thing is that's more lines to leak, more parts that could break, etc.

 

[TheKid]

I can buy the shocks at napa starting at about $300.

I didn't know that Napa sold gold plated shocks. I replaced the 4 shocks on my F250 a while back with Monroe gas magnums for under $153 and that includes shipping. I got them HERE. Monroe also has a $20 rebate going on when you by 4 shocks.

 

[zzvyb6]

Benefits of shocks to trailer towing are actually miniscule compared to the advantages of putting on good tires, especially on the rear. I mean name brand first line expensive tires, not some baloney skined black donuts with a creepy unknown brand and model name. A wider wheel rim also improves a given tire's performance. I posted an example video of tire testing that I've done to compare tires. This is routine testing for all GM car and truck tire parts to make sure they are up to the task. Even this load condition sequence is only 3/4 of the max and represents conditions near potential tripped rollover. Your BIG GOOBER Macho Mud Super Grabbers would have thrown the tread and exploded long before you got this far.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmo_dkNZIHM&feature=email

 

[crashz]

I'll second the tire upgrade. I went to load range D Bridgestone tires on my 1/2 ton and even with the same pressure, they handle much better than the previous P rated tires.

I installed Monroe Sensetracs on my 04 GMC 1/2 ton. Easy job, in fact I didn't even jack it up or remove a tire. Leave it on the ground so that the axles couldn't bottom out the shocks. Took maybe an hour to do, as it invovles a lot of crawling around on the ground. At the time I had a bad set of tires, but still could see a difference in ride quality. With the new tires and relatively new shocks, the truck rides like new. At 110K miles I feel like its runs and drives better than ever.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I keep pretty heavy tires on my truck. Usually D's or E's. I don't usually have troubles with sway, I have troubles with bounce and squat. An empty trailer can really bounce the truck around crossing railroad tracks or on bumpy roads. There's one stretch of road along highway 20 that I just avoid. If I go the speed limit I get a harmonic bounce due to the seams in the highway. It's terrible.

I'm sure a large part of that is that the shocks I have are bad. I have 150K miles on the truck and these may be the original shocks. I bought the truck and 80K, and I've never put shocks on it.

As far a price, I may have my figures wrong. Are shocks usually priced per pair or per each. I'm seeing one step up from dirt cheap priced at $78 and figured that was per each. That's where I got the $300 number from. That's what I get for being shut up in an office with only the internet to keep me company. If I'd get off my butt and go to the parts store, I'd have some better information.

 

[RobJ]

Please, unless these are struts of some kind, standard shock replacement is a cake walk.
And when your done your going to feel silly about this post.

Now slide under there and git er done.

Maybe they changed the design of shocks again but maybe not a complete cakewalk. I'm gotten slammed by a few big dudes...and gals at a cake walk when it was their favorite cake!

Actually just a heads up that George2615 mentioned. The new gas shocks are pressurized, they will have a wire on them to keep them compressed. Cut the wire before you are ready and they can be heck to compress again, especially since they are mounted in a hard to reach places. I swear the rear shock on my F250 would pin me to the ground and I couldn't get up! They do un-compress slowly so if you are ready with the bolt and time it right then maybe a cake walk with some small kids. But if you miss...shucks!

Shocks will help the rear end bounce, about all. If your load is set right you shouldn't have to much bounce unless your road is poor.

If I see leakage, I'll replace the shock, otherwise the only thing I've noticed after a shock replacement is a stiffer ride, not always what I'm looking for since I might have my trailer behind my truck .5% of the time.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...the only thing I've noticed after a shock replacement is a stiffer ride, not always what I'm looking for since I might have my trailer behind my truck .5% of the time.

This is why I perked up at the thought of the air shocks. Adjustable.

 

[Redbug]

The bolts that hold the shocks to the vehicle have to be tighter than you think. Sometimes you may hear a rattle or thump when turning a certain way or hitting a bump. I had a heck of a time figuring that one out since the bolts seemed tight enough to me...but a friend proved me wrong.

 

[ScottAR]

Air shocks are most always sold as pairs unless it's a factory system like a lincoln town car or some such.

Reg Bilisteins are around $70-$80 each
Monroe reflex are $60ish each
Gas magnums are $40ish each
Monroe matics are $30ish each
Monroe cheapies are $20ish each (don't get these)
Monroe rear air shocks are $70ish pair

Yes I do work for a parts store. Yes you can change shocks on your truck.
Just a few tools and a jack/stands.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Air shocks are most always sold as pairs unless it's a factory system like a lincoln town car or some such.

Reg Bilisteins are around $70-$80 each
Monroe reflex are $60ish each
Gas magnums are $40ish each
Monroe matics are $30ish each
Monroe cheapies are $20ish each (don't get these)
Monroe rear air shocks are $70ish pair

Yes I do work for a parts store. Yes you can change shocks on your truck.
Just a few tools and a jack/stands.

So what would happen if I put air shocks on the rear and regular shocks on the front?