Got an AWD or 98 with air ride? I need YOUR help!

[CDW6212R]

Yes, the factory air lines plug in. I'll be interested to know how the handling is then. Regards,

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Oh well whats the fuss about then? As long as they work as intended I'm down for it.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Hey whats the part numbers on the front monroe shockies?

I called the dealer and they're 200$ each and he said they have the air fitting. I'm sure I can get them cheaper elsewhere.

 

[CDW6212R]

I think the numbers are 40005, 40006, and 40007. I am not sure if there are four different shocks, or three. Regards,

 

[Nitrous SSC]

So 2 different fronts and 1 for the rears?

 

[CDW6212R]

Run an internet search for "Monroe" and "air shock*" and go to a link which is a parts seller. Most large parts dealers sell the shocks. Search for a shock for your 98, good luck.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

I did I couldn't find crap. I kept finding airbag setups.

 

[95limited]

www.rockauto.com has the Monroe's for $162.79 each. My brother-in-law works for CarQuest and was able to get them for $550.18 including tax with his employee discount. The Monroe part numbers are:
40005 - Front Both
40006 - Rear Right
40007 - Rear Left

Here is a link that shows that Motorcraft has been selling the Monroe's in place of the original shocks since last September:
http://www.autobanter.com/printthread.php?t=20733

I hope to find time by next week to get mine installed. I've never replaced shocks before but I have step-by-step printouts, both from the Ford service CD and from online. Looks easy.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Nice. Thanks for that info.

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks, I was about to hunt them again to post a link.

To start changing the shocks, first thing, even now well before you do it; spray the front upper shock bolts with a penetrant spray. The hardest part of changing shocks is removing th front top nuts. They can be frozen, and strip or break the stud. What you want is to take your time on those, and use the exact tools. Most newer shocks now have a shoulder below the nut to place a wrench on, to hold the shock body still. Good luck,

 

[Nitrous SSC]

I've got enough tools to take apart the space shuttle.

 

[CDW6212R]

Sorry Matt, for the detailed... I was posting for a different thread. A novice was about to try to change shocks, first time. I don't know how I read that thread, and ended up posting my response here. Too tired I guess, night,

 

[95limited]

Hey Don, I think you were talking to me. This will be my first time changing shocks. I plan on giving everything a good spray tomorrow when I look things over. Thanks for the info on the front top nuts.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

update: Got my shocks, Monroe's through a connection I have at ford for 130$

I could of gotten the ford OEM ones for 144$ but I'm so damn broke I really don't care.

 

[mrladylover]

Im having trouble with my air ride too. The warning pretty much only comes on when I get a heavy load in my car (like alot of ppl). My ride is also really rough and Im not sure if this is because I need new supsension, shocks, or if its just the air ride. The light will go off after all the ppl get out of my car and drive around for a little bit. I NEVER hear any noises indicating its working. Let me know what you all think. Thanks

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Update: Installed the Monroe replacement shocks. My air ride is BACK UP AND RUNNING!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!! Front raises 2" the rear 2.5"

Install was cake. Only problem is when I was taking the top nut off all the threads were so rusted it broke the top right off from the shock that was working!!! hahahahhha

I put a little bit of RTV around the air fittings because I noticed the leaked just a tiny bit of air and wanted to have a perfect seal.

 

[96limitedX]

i agree..the ARC is a awsome system!! glad you got ours working again!

 

[CDW6212R]

Congrats. BTW, I have a four used ARC shocks, and one of the fronts is also minus the top shaft section. There is just barely any threads to get ahold of. I wish the original shocks were rebuildable. Regards,

 

[shizon]

I am ordering the monroe shocks for my 97 with arc. I got them from rock auto for about $350 for all 4. Good deal I thought.

I got two of the 05's, 1 06 and 1 07.

I've never done shocks before and if the nut breaks, shouldn't the shock be free then?

Can anyone do a brief write up of the tools/process necessary to make this happen and about how much time (maybe even with a couple pics? ). I'm a DIY'er and have worked on more performance cars than trucks. Never done any suspension work myself though.

It's good to hear that this retains 95% of the stock functionality. My truck clunks like an old beater when I hit a bump (140k miles).

Thanks guys

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Its soooooooooo easy.

Yes when it broke the shock was free. It also feel freely into the trashcan.

step 1 Break the lug nuts loose before raising the truck. Then raise the truck with a REAL jack by the front crossmember till the front wheels are high enough to take off. Place a jack stand under each lower control arm where the little curve is in the middle of them. This will load the suspension a little bit and make things easier.

Step 2 Remove the front tires.

Step 3. Remove the air line. Do this first because when you're trying to get the shock off it will turn and you don't want to pinch or crack the air line. Take a small screwdriver and push on the green inner ring then pull the air line out at the same time. To re-install do the same thing.

Step 4. The top bolt of the shock is a 15mm I believe. You'll want to just use a standard closed end wrench as a deep socket isn't deep enough. Make sure you drench the threads with some WD-40 and let it soak for about 5 minutes. Turning the nuts off is a *****. The threads are all rusted and its a pain!! To keep the shock from turning you can use a 3/4"s wrench on the hex head at the top of the shock but below where it mounts. I just let this rest on something as I cranked on the top.

Step 5. Unplug the shocks from the harnesses. The passanger side one is under the air box area. I've got a cold air kit so this was way easy. If you have a stock airbox you may have to pull it out. The drivers side shock plug is just below the master cylinder.

Step 6. The shock bolts to the control arm with 1/2" nuts. Get a 1/2" deep socket and MAKE SURE you keep it totally on the nut. Get under the truck if you have to just make sure you don't strip it. I didn't strip it but it could be pretty easy if ya don't know you need a flat "right-on" fit. These nuts arnt' that tight. I used a 1/4" rachet to get them off.

Step 7. Remove the shock. Mine got a little wedged so I had to use my jack to put a little bit more load on each arm and they literally fell right out.

Step 8. Using the hardware that COMES with the shocks (DO NOT REUSE THE OLD STUFF) Install the new ones. I found it easier to first install the lower arm bolts/nuts first then screw the top together. You'll need a 10mm wrench for the bolts to keep them from spining and they are again 1/2" nuts. I personally like to use a little bit of lock-tite. I snugged them down but be carefull not to go to tight. If you use a 3/8ths ratchet be very carefull because you could snap the little bolts. Make sure when you put the upper through the shock mount that you put a Metal plate, then bushing, slide it into the hole. Use a Bushing, then the metal plate and just thread on the new nut with your fingers a bit on the top. If you do it the other way around you'll hear everything on the road.

9. Reinstall airline using the method I mentioned, Reinstall wheels. Get all the lugs on snug then drop the truck. Torque each lug nut in a star pattern to 100ft-lbs (well thats what I do with aftermarket alumium wheels) Remember after driving 150-200 miles to retorque the lugnuts again.

I havn't done the back ones so you're on your own. I'm sure they're even easier.

Give yourself about an hour to an hour 1/2 to do the fronts. Took me about 45 min (I do alot of wrenching)

I'm very **** about things and To make sure I had a good air connection i sprayed the connections with soapy water with the air ride set to offroad and I got a few little bubbles but no big leaks. I ended up gooping some RTV all over it just to keep the air in a little better.

GOOD LUCK!