question for those who have replaced rear springs/shocks themselves

[thammel]

I'm ready to do the job and have all the parts and manuals but I thought I recalled reading somewhere that you don't have to remove the knuckle to lower arm bolt/nut.

Could you summarize what needs to be disconnected? I know the top 3 nuts and then the lower bolt for the shock/ Also, I'm pretty sure the tie rod nut. Any more? And do you really need new nuts for the tie rod and other locations or is locktite good enough?

Thanks!
Tom

 

[cross6]

I'm pretty sure you do, and the sway bar link, so you can push the lower arm down enough to get the shock/spring cartridge out. See if these help:

 

[Fox Fader]

I think this can be done without spring compressors, but this procedure is not for everyone. The utmost care has to be taken.

-Jack vehicle under frame
-Place another jack under the control arm and raise it up just taking it up enough to get the spring neutral
-Unbolt the shock absorber-to-upper mount nut
-Remove the lower knucle bolt and swing away the knuckle.
-SLOWLY and CAREFULY Lower the jack letting the spring decompress.

This should work here.

 

[thammel]

Greeat exploded view!

Hey Cross6 - great exploded view - where did you get these? got the job done yesterday and did have to unbolt the tie rod and sway bar link. I have all the tools to do the job and it was not bad. My one right side spring came out in 3 pieces!

Key tools for the job:

1) spring compressor
2) impact wrench - helped get the top shock nut off
3) ratcheting box end wrenches - for the 3 top strut nuts.

Hints:
1) move some of the plastic under body skirting out of the way after pulling out the plastic screw plugs.
2) lower and remove the spare tire for better access.

I did not use all new nuts as per ford, but used locktite.

Tom

 

[Denny347]

I paid Sears automotive 25 dollars for each strut in labor. They cursed the day they took on that job. They said the rears were a PITA to get off the truck because the rear control arm was in the way. MAybe they were doing it the hard way...who knows.