Change Shocks

[prsmith]

Hi folks!

I am about to change the rear shocks on my 2002 Challenger 335 on a
20.5k 2001 Ford Chassis.

Does anyone have any tips on how to go about this job? I have been
spraying the two bolts that hold each shock in place with PB Blaster. I
assume that i can use the HWH stabilizers to adjust the distance between
top and bottom bolts so that the shock will slide on and off easily
(once correct distance is achieved I would place jack stands under the
frame). Since the shock has a rubber bushing I assume that no
lubrication is needed. Would anti-seize on the nut be a good idea? Any
thoughts on what the bolts should be torqued to or should I just snug
them up against the shoulders of the bracket?

Ford now supplies Bilstein shocks as replacement parts. They seem to be
cheaper than the Bilsteins one would find at a parts store. I do not
know if they are the same shock as the after market shock. Ford
provides only the 22k pound shock package for all F53 applications

Hope all are enjoying their summer

Thanks

Preston

[prsmith]

Hi folks!

I am about to change the rear shocks on my 2002 Challenger 335 on a
20.5k 2001 Ford Chassis.

Does anyone have any tips on how to go about this job? I have been
spraying the two bolts that hold each shock in place with PB Blaster. I
assume that i can use the HWH stabilizers to adjust the distance between
top and bottom bolts so that the shock will slide on and off easily
(once correct distance is achieved I would place jack stands under the
frame). Since the shock has a rubber bushing I assume that no
lubrication is needed. Would anti-seize on the nut be a good idea? Any
thoughts on what the bolts should be torqued to or should I just snug
them up against the shoulders of the bracket?

Ford now supplies Bilstein shocks as replacement parts. They seem to be
cheaper than the Bilsteins one would find at a parts store. I do not
know if they are the same shock as the after market shock. Ford
provides only the 22k pound shock package for all F53 applications

Hope all are enjoying their summer

Thanks

Preston

[C Driver]

Do yourself and your MH a really great favor and go with the KONI shocks .... hands down the best shock on the market

[LVJ58]

I wholeheartedly agree with C Driver, we replaced our rear shocks with Koni's and although a bit pricey, they're great. I had them installed as I didn't want to mess with doing it myself.

Good Luck, Jim

[prsmith]

Jim and Ed!

Thanks for your recommendations with respect to Koni's. I had already bought the Bilsteins from a Ford Dealer and since they were a special order I coul;d not return them.

I spent yesterday replacing the rear shocks (new ones are Bilsteins) on my 20.5k pound motor home. I could not even move the 28mm nuts with my 485mm long 3/4" drive ratchet (I had been putting nut buster on for 3 days). I eventually used a 4 foot cheater bar (a hunk of pipe) and those babies were still difficult to start. Eventually I did move them and got the shocks replaced. The Ford Factory manual said to torque the top bolt to 269 ft-lbs and the lower bolt to 49 ft-lbs - these bo;ts were both the same size and I can not understand the different torque specs. Since the shock bushings included a steel centre bushing encased in rubber, I snugged both of them up with my 750mm 3/4 inch torque wrench - I could never reach the 269 ft-lbs (no room for leverage) and figure that since this fastening is all about shear strength I should be OK. In a thousand kms I will check them again. It was a fun day and my back tells me I did some bad things to it.

I won't get a chance to drive the rig until next week but I know there will be an improvement. I could easily compress the old shocks between my hands.

Preston

["007"]

Job well done prsmith I replaced shocks with Bilsteins on my three Fords and it will make a difference for you. I know about your back also just got thru putting on the Henderson Trac Bar had to get son to help get the right torque on one of those bolts.

[prsmith]

Thank you 007 for your words of support. I would not want to do that on an annual basis

Do you recall what torques Bilstein called for in their installation instructions? The Bilsteins I bought from Ford came with no instructions. Would it be possible for you to provide me with a copy of Bilstein's instructions?

The Trac Bar Project seems interesting - I must look into that

Preston

[N8XV]

My 2000 F-53 service manual calls for 260 lb/ft on all shock mounting bolts. Do not apply any oil or grease to the threads.

[prsmith]

Thanks N8XV!

That 260 ft pounds makes sense to me. Wonder where the factory service manual for the 2001 got its figures?

I put anti seize on the metal shoulder so that the bushing and bolt would not rust together. I am sure some got on the threads

Next week I am having the rig safety checked and while the truck dealer has it on the pit/hoist I will get them to torque the bolts to about 280 ft lbs to compensate for the lubricant

Thnaks for your comments

Have agreat weeekend

Preston