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Old 04-28-2017, 08:28 AM   #1
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Installing new shocks?

I need to replace a broken shock and may do them all. Bilstein told me to change all (4) of them on the axle with the broken one not just the one. My question is is this something relatively easy to do? Any tricks to make it easier? I could take it to Josams but it's an hour drive each way.


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Old 04-28-2017, 09:06 AM   #2
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It's been my experience that the chassis builder uses Gorilla's to torque down the shock mounting bolts. I had to use an impact gun but only because it was handy. A 2' breaker bar with a cheater tube will break loose the nuts. If they're rusted then spray them with PB blaster (available at Home Depot or most all auto parts stores) Depending on how they bolt up, try not to let them fully extend if they're gas pressurized as it's very tough to collapse them. When I installed them, I started by tightening down the upper then releasing the strap or string that holds them in the collapsed position then just before they extend to the lower bolt, I start pushing so they catch the lower bolt before fully extending. Figure about 1/2 hour per unit.
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Old 04-28-2017, 09:11 AM   #3
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They should be compressed by a mechanical means(strap) when you get them. Use the coach jacks to position the shocks into place and bolt them in before you cut the strap.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:45 AM   #4
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I changed all 4 on my steer axle on about 6 hours if memory serves me. Not hard...awkward maybe, but not hard.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:55 AM   #5
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When I was getting ready to change my drive axle shocks, one member with about the same year coach as Jeff, posted that his fenders were hinged.
May want to look for that. Would make shock replacement much easier.
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Old 04-28-2017, 03:34 PM   #6
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I changed my rear shocks and it was relatively easy using air tools. My shocks had eyelets at both ends so there was only really 8 bolt to remove. The bottoms are easy peasy and the tops are a little more difficult to access. My Bilsteins weren't compressed when I got them, but I installed to top bolt, then used a bottle jack to compress the shock to get it on the bottom bolt.

Good luck.
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Old 04-28-2017, 04:09 PM   #7
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Remember the shock along with everything else is installed before the floor etc is installed. So it easy pesy for them. Captjake1 is about right for our coaches: pin top, eyelet bottom mount. Bottoms are easy, it's the top you have to be patient with, penetrating fluid will help if they have not been off before.
We had to cut all of my original shocks off, just saying.
I just replace a bad shock under warranty, it was about an hour, limited access to top only with ratchet wrench.
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Old 04-28-2017, 07:58 PM   #8
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You had to cut your shocks off your '08 ??
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:27 PM   #9
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When dealing with shocks you never really know until you get into it, I changed the shocks out on my P32 chassis Safari Trek a few months ago, and over half the time was spent removing one 15 year old factory original shock absorber, the nut had backed off at some point and the threads were mangled and mushroomed in the hole making it nearly impossible to remove without cutting it out.
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Old 04-28-2017, 11:28 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide View Post
You had to cut your shocks off your '08 ??


96 yes sir I watch Todd last year cut everyone except the left front off the coach. The pins were so rusted as soon as you tried to turn them the nut would mangle or just twist the whole shock rod. Not fun. Cut off wheel and sawsall helps shorten the work.
Installing new shocks plenty of bushing lube also on the threads, new bolts on the bottom.
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Old 04-29-2017, 03:11 AM   #11
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He has a 16 year old coach, as soon as any bolt don't want move just cut it off, don't waste time.

It's very doable
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Old 04-29-2017, 06:44 AM   #12
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I changed all 8 on mine. I tried without taking the tires off but my arms were not long enough to reach the top nuts. I had the top stud mounts. Anyways I pulled the tires and after wrenching off one shock off I cut the rest with a sawzall. 20 seconds of cutting and they hit the ground. Compressing the shocks was difficult but doable by hand if you can get up underneath them while on your back.
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Old 04-29-2017, 08:31 AM   #13
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you can also use a wrachting strap (tie down type ) to compress
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:36 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo2013 View Post
He has a 16 year old coach, as soon as any bolt don't want move just cut it off, don't waste time.

It's very doable
My coach is the same age. Little penetrating oil, and mine all turned off easy enough. I did use an impact gun on the lower nuts.
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