Replacing shocks and installing them properly in your vehicle can be a mammoth task to get done. From an owner to professional mechanics, almost everyone happens to seek help on how to install shocks.
However, it demands a professional touch that is why we are going to guide you through every detail so you can get the installments done easily. And we promise it won’t be any less perfect. And that’s precisely what we are gonna show you for the next several minutes.
To install shocks, first, you have to arrange a flathead screwdriver to dislodge the shock off. Then align both edges of the new shock and install it in the car. Insert a drifting needle between the mounting holes as well as the shock eyelets. Tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Lastly, replace the wheel & secure the lug nuts.
How to Install Shocks on a Car or Truck- In 4 Easy Steps!
Whenever you need to install the shock absorbers in your automobile and don’t want to pay a pricey mechanic’s charge, you can do it yourself without anyone’s help.
Shocks are critical to a car’s performance because they provide a smooth and level ride.
Step 1: Lock Wheels
First things first you have to lock the wheels.
Then, on whatever end of the car you’re working on, loosen its lug nuts.
If your shock hardware appears rusted, spray either side of the shock hardware using penetrating oil before proceeding.
Step 2: Removing the Top Nut
Hook up the vehicle and place it on supports, ensuring sure it’s solid and won’t fall off. Because you’ll be working below.
Lift the rear axle using a floor jack found in the lower shock mount.
And afterward, arrange the jack stand so that it is cradling the axle. Rep on the opposite side until the whole rear axle is lifted.
Next, put on some protective goggles, and sliding beneath the vehicle, remove the screwdriver.
Step needle-nose the upper shock holding bolt with a ratchet and socket. If somehow the base of the shock mount has a threaded rod.
You may need to use a different tool to keep the pipe from rotating while removing the top nut.
Step 3: Loosen the Shocks
Loosen the lower shock bolt by holding the bolt head with a box end wrench and loosening the nut with a ratchet and socket.
After you’ve ensured that you can spin the bolt with the wrench, give it a couple of hits with just a hammer to loosen it.
Keep hold not to harm the threads if you don’t have fresh hardware. Start with the top shock bolts & washers and work your way down.
Then, to enable the shock to spread, remove the shock retainer. Push it gently to align it with the lower shock bolt, then tighten it with the nut. Tighten it firmly.
Step 4: Remove Wheel Blocks
Go this technique again on the opposite side of the car.
Remove any tools, packaging, or other debris from the vehicle’s undercarriage. Make sure all of the necessary hardware, including the lug nuts, is tightened.
Finally, lower the car, remove the wheel blocks, and take it for a spin.
And you are done! This is how to install shocks on a car. You can easily install shocks in a truck following the same process.
How to Install Shock Absorber: In 5 Easy Steps!
To know how to install shock absorber you must go through these steps first.
Step 1
Place the car in a flat area and lock the tires so that it will stay on the ground in a fixed position.
Raise the car with a floor jack and attach it with jack supports. Consider keeping the tires on the car for increased safety.
However, for stability, make sure to put the jack stand in the appropriate positions on the frame!
Step 2
Remove the lower shock holding nut but leave the bolt in place. Shock bolt nuts may be corroded & hard to extract.
Use a penetration oil, including PB B’laster, and allow it to work for a few minutes to gently remove them. A nut splitter can also be used to aid extract tough nuts.
Step 3
Attaching/mounting hardware may be found at the top of the shock.
Based on the form of shock, this may be held in place by 2 bolts that must be accessed with a lengthy socket extension.
Step 4
The 2 retaining bolts must be removed.
One single nut or stud on the base of the shocks or a through-bolt can be used to secure your shock absorbers.
Completely remove that nut then knock out the base shock bolt with a rubber mallet. Take out the old shock.
Install the replacement shock by first inserting the bottom bolt.
Tighten the nut by hand. Once the base bolt is in position, cut the shock compression band using a tool knife very gently.
The shock is now under strain, and when the strap gets cut, it will gradually expand.
As it does, prepare to place the bolt(s) into the shock’s top and mounting hardware.
Step 5
To ensure adequate torque, you have to tighten the nut upon the upper and bottom bolts.
It’s always a good option to change shocks in doubles.
However, once you have done shocking the first nut, go ahead and do the same with the second.
After double-checking the torque across all fasteners, do a test drive. You’ll appreciate the increased ride quality!
How to Install Rear Shocks
First of all, you have to loosen the tire using a wrench. It’s quite similar to the other processes.
You have to go with the top shock first and then the lower one. When you are done with removing the shock you can place the new shock inside one by one.
Well, the rest of the process is similar to how to install shock absorber.
How to Install Front Shocks: In 4 Easy Steps!
To get to know about how to install front shocks, here are 4 steps-
Step 1
First and foremost, you must remove your front tire.
Then, using the flat head screwdriver, remove the four plastic clips securing the engine bay covers in the wheel wells.
After removing the top shock bolt, you will have easier access to it.
Step 2
Loosen the nut first from the needle-nose about the shock stem using the 16mm wrench or socket.
If somehow the nut & shock stem both begin to spin while being tightened, grasp the upper half of the thread using vice grip & proceed to tighten the nut.
Once you’ve reached the vice grip with the nut, use needle-nose pliers to grasp beneath the nut. Let go of the ratchet straps and continue to loosen the screw until it falls off.
Step 3
Remove the top mount’s washer and bushing. Then place the socket wrench, extension, and 18mm socket on the lower shock mount’s bolt side.
Place your 18mm wrench on the nut end of the bolt and tighten until the nut is gone.
Move the bolt out from the lower shock mount. The shock should then slip out of position; if not, a little twist on the shock should do the trick.
Take out a new shock and the pieces that came with it. Take note of the distinction between both the old and new shocks.
Step 4
You should have had your new shocks sooner. Each comes with two new bushings and two concave washers.
First, install a washer on the stem of the new shock. Insert the shock stem with the new bushings into the top mount first, followed by the shock tube into the lower mount.
Place the opposite bushing (nipple side down) and washer (bowl side down) on the stem, bushing first. Tighten the top mount with the provided nut until tight.
You may now replace the engine bay lid and fasten it with the four plastic clips you removed before.
Conclusion
Having said that, we’d advise you to pay deep attention while installing the shocks.
So that was all for how to install shocks. Also, beware of the facts about which vehicle you are installing. This will prevent any unexpected costs to take place with your shocks.
Good luck!
