How hard is it to replace shocks?

[George2615]

Here's a link on how to replace your shocks. Make sure your vehicle is supported properly with jackstands, remove wheels, shock bolts then remove shocks. As the video shows some shocks are pressurized (gas shocks) and some care must be taken.

I did a quick auto parts search for shocks for your vehicle and found standard replacements to range from $37-70 each depending on which brand you buy so a set of 4 shouldn't be more than $300. I'd suggest HD gas shocks for the front and back. If needed you can get the rear shocks with helper springs which generally add about 500# of extra lift support. If I recall correctly, shocks on your truck simply have one bolt on top and bottom per shock and are fairly easy to replace. If you are still unsure, most auto parts stores have Chilton manuals specific for your vehicle which will guide you through the steps.



How to Remove Shock Absorbers: How to Replace Your Shocks | eHow.com,

 

[Willl]

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.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for all the advice, especially about supporting the axle. This site is better than whiskey for getting my courage up.

My wife just took the car in today for an oil change and was talked into letting them change the brakes and letting them change the air filter. That cuts into my Preventive Maintenance budget for a few weeks. In the mean time I'll contemplate the pros and cons of various shocks...

So are all air shocks the kind with a compressor on board? Are there cheaper systems that you'd air up from an external air supply?

How likely is it that the stress from a helper spring type shock will cause damage to the truck? Are there other cons to the helper spring type shocks? Ride? Fuel Economy?

 

[carpenter383]

Thanks for all the advice, especially about supporting the axle. This site is better than whiskey for getting my courage up.

My wife just took the car in today for an oil change and was talked into letting them change the brakes and letting them change the air filter. That cuts into my Preventive Maintenance budget for a few weeks. In the mean time I'll contemplate the pros and cons of various shocks...

So are all air shocks the kind with a compressor on board? Are there cheaper systems that you'd air up from an external air supply?

How likely is it that the stress from a helper spring type shock will cause damage to the truck? Are there other cons to the helper spring type shocks? Ride? Fuel Economy?

I'm sure you can do it just have a little faith in youself......You can get air shocks with lines that you put air in yourself, and they are cheaper. I'd say if you unly do occasional heavy hauling you'd be fine with "helper" shocks, yes they'd likely make a noticable difference on ride quality (make it feel more like a truck) No affect on feul economy. Add-a-leaf springs would be the best thing to do for increased load capacity. They would add to the cost, and are a little more difficult to install, You'd prolly need longer u bolts too.

 

[Willl]

You where questioning your ability to replace regular shocks and now were talking about upgrading already.....

See what this place does.

 

[Bird]

I was hoping you'd say that.

Anyone have advice on a good upgrade to make a half ton tow better? I've looked around at some of the online parts places and they are advertising shocks to carry loads better. An example is the Hijacker Air Shocks. Do these shocks deliver on their promise?

I guess I'm a bit confused. You're talking about making a half ton "tow better" but then get to talking about air shocks that are generally used to help a vehicle sit level with a heavier load. Aren't the two getting mixed up? I've known several people who used air shocks, both with the on board compressor and without, but it was so they could change the ride comfort and height of the rear end as the load changed. I cannot imagine air shocks helping with towing unless the problem is too much tongue weight.

It's been about 50 years, but we used to sell Monroe Load Levellers for vehicles with too soft a suspension. In fact, most GM cars had too soft a suspension in 1959-60 and we put the load levellers on Dad's '59 Olds, which made it ride and handle better.

Now my experience is a bit dated, so your mileage may vary.

 

[jimmysisson]

Actually the air booster springs like Firestone or Air Ride do help the towing. They help the light pickups quite a bit. You can get the truck level with the air, and that makes the trailer act like it was designed to. And you take a lot of sway out of the driving, which makes you feel more in control.
I've had a couple of half tons with the system, first w/o compressor, then with. The compressor is much handier, as I never could get the push-in fittings to not leak just a tiny bit. My new pickup has the Timbren rubber overload springs. They are cheaper, and help quite a bit, and the 08 Chevy has better control than the 99 did. Still, the air system gave you the chance to firm things up more and the truck felt more solid.
Jim

 

[The Dougster]

I have to agree that the price is too high, but what do I know?
Last week I took my F150 to National Tire & Battery (NTB) ... had the shocks replaced, wheels balanced and rotated and a front end alignment and got out of the store for a little over $600, which I still consider "too high" but I was in and out in just over one hour...

 

[devildog1]

Penetrate oil, impact tools or 1/2" socket wrench, breaker bar. Easy to do, i just installed Bilstons on my F350 Ford 4X4 in about 45 minutes. Bought them on line for $200.00, no tax and free shipping, piece of cake. You can do it easy.

 

[EddieWalker]

Stiffer shocks will improve handling while towing, but the cost will be a rougher ride when empty. Everything is a trade. Change one thing and live with it, or keep it the same and know what you are getting.

I've never had a Chevy, so I don't know about your truck. I recently changed the shocks on my Ford, which cost about $80 each for the Heavy Duty shocks from Napa. The rear shocks were very simple and about a ten minute job. Nothing to it, just a matter of getting on the ground and taking out the bolts.

The front shocks were a real pain. They have the top mounted threaded ends with the nut that goes up through the bracket. The entire end spun while trying to loosen the nut. It was also very tight in there with only enough room for a wrench to make about an eighth of a turn. While not especially difficult, it was very slow and painful. It felt like hours, but in reality, I guess it took me an hour to change each front shock. It's one of those things that you just stick with until it's done.

Eddie