gsoexplorer
Member
- Joined
- October 17, 2016
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
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- City, State
- Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Explorer XLT
Hey Everyone,
I know there are a lot of threads discussing this shock as a cure for SAS, but I wanted to post some before and after pics, and share my install experience.
My explorer was beginning to show some sag, especially with a full tank of gas. As you can see from the pics, it was not a very noticeable sag, but the ride was suffering. At some point a prior owner replaced the stock shocks with Monroe Reflex which were at the end of their life.
I thought the removal of the old shocks would be the most challenging part. I sprayed the bottom bolts with PB Blaster a few days prior to the install of the Monroe 58617. I could get zero movement from the bolts even when banging a wrench with a small sledge. I went to harbor freight and bought a cheap electric impact wrench and some deep impact sockets. The impact wrench was able to free the bolts (can't say enough good things about the harbor freight impact gun). I did not have to remove the carbon canister stuff on the drivers side to access the top bolts.
Once the old shocks were out, the adventure began with getting the new ones in. Maybe someone can let me know what I was missing with how to get the new shocks compressed up to the bottom mounting bracket. I had to jack up the body from my tow hitch, and then compress the shock with a second smaller jack. Maybe the spring over the shock makes these extra difficult to get compressed, but this was very challenging.
The final result was a noticeable raise to the rear, possibly beyond factory height. I'll try to post pics again after they have settled. The handling is greatly improved. Initially these shocks do seem stiff, but the increase in stability and reduction in body roll is incredible.
MonroeLoad Adjusting Shock Absorber
Part No 58617
Not sure how to get the images to appear inline. The link below will also work.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AgVxUNC8xkipmj1HXrDneM2sYEJt
I know there are a lot of threads discussing this shock as a cure for SAS, but I wanted to post some before and after pics, and share my install experience.
My explorer was beginning to show some sag, especially with a full tank of gas. As you can see from the pics, it was not a very noticeable sag, but the ride was suffering. At some point a prior owner replaced the stock shocks with Monroe Reflex which were at the end of their life.
I thought the removal of the old shocks would be the most challenging part. I sprayed the bottom bolts with PB Blaster a few days prior to the install of the Monroe 58617. I could get zero movement from the bolts even when banging a wrench with a small sledge. I went to harbor freight and bought a cheap electric impact wrench and some deep impact sockets. The impact wrench was able to free the bolts (can't say enough good things about the harbor freight impact gun). I did not have to remove the carbon canister stuff on the drivers side to access the top bolts.
Once the old shocks were out, the adventure began with getting the new ones in. Maybe someone can let me know what I was missing with how to get the new shocks compressed up to the bottom mounting bracket. I had to jack up the body from my tow hitch, and then compress the shock with a second smaller jack. Maybe the spring over the shock makes these extra difficult to get compressed, but this was very challenging.
The final result was a noticeable raise to the rear, possibly beyond factory height. I'll try to post pics again after they have settled. The handling is greatly improved. Initially these shocks do seem stiff, but the increase in stability and reduction in body roll is incredible.
MonroeLoad Adjusting Shock Absorber
Part No 58617
Not sure how to get the images to appear inline. The link below will also work.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AgVxUNC8xkipmj1HXrDneM2sYEJt