Shock replacement?

[Jaywalker]

Is there a "how-to" for shock replacement? I haven't been able to locate one.

Basically, I want something easy to start with on working on this truck, since I've never done it before - I've paid for it. I think my '98 EX XLT 4WD (with 3.73 ratio and LSD and 144,000 miles) probably needs shocks, and this might be a good place for me to start.

I've found a reference here to Shockwarehouse, and they have a set of four Monroe Reflex for $184. Is this a reasonable shock for the price and the use, which is 95% highway and 5% dirt/gravel Forest Service roads?

Edited: Found the instructions: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=97412. It was buried pretty deeply in the H-T, but it was there.

I could still use an opinion on the shocks and price, though.

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

I just put Reflex's on my 97 AWD and it rides nice. Best shock Monroe makes for the EX and you can tell with the ride quality.

Front shocks are easy... the rears you will need to let the spare down to unbolt the top side of the shocks. Mine were all rusty, so I just cut the bolts out with a torch and used the supplied bolts that come with the shocks to remount them.

Nick

 

[Jaywalker]

Well, I don't have a torch. If that happens, anything wrong with putting an extender on a breaker bar and just un-torqueing it?

 

[techieman33]

Well, I don't have a torch. If that happens, anything wrong with putting an extender on a breaker bar and just un-torqueing it?

no, the new shocks will come with new hardware so it doesn't matter if you break the bolts. Be sure to use plenty of pb blaster, and start spraying it down a day or 2 before you start your project so it can really soak in and do it's thing, it's really a pretty easy job except the the top bolts on the rear shocks, those are a a pain to get to

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Those top bolts can be a pain, ask Jon about them.

Definitely spray those bolts ahead of time, I found a 1/4" drive ratchet and and 10mm socket worked better than anything else for me.

 

[techieman33]

Those top bolts can be a pain, ask Jon about them.

Definitely spray those bolts ahead of time, I found a 1/4" drive ratchet and and 10mm socket worked better than anything else for me.

a gear wrench worked pretty well for me too, mine have the 15* offset and it was just enough to keep clear of things

 

[MountaineerGreen]

An angled wrench will work, a straight on won't. The design of those mounts is such a pain.

 

[Jaywalker]

I found some flex head, so I'll pick some of those up. Offset is harder to locate, but I'll keep my eyes open. Sears has Gear Wrenches at 30% off through Saturday, so I'll see what they have. Thanks.

Edited my original question when I found the answer. Thanks.

 

[Cobraguy]

Those top bolts on the rear will give you religion if they're rusted up. What a ridiculous design to not add an access throught the interior.

If you can use an air impact, the tops of the fronts will spin right off 99% of the time. Otherwise, you may need to hold the center of the shock. This is a nice project to start on. As long as you get everything tight, it's pretty hard to make a mistake.

 

[Jaywalker]

I just talked to Monroe to determine the bolt sizes so I could get the right tools and they told me they expect me to reuse both the rear upper and lower hardware and the front lower.

Is there a better place to get replacement than Ford Parts?

 

[Jaywalker]

I replaced the OEM shocks with Monroe Reflex on all four corners - not a big deal for many of you, but my first effort.

A few notes:
1. There was plenty of new hardware for the uppers in the Reflex boxes, regardless of what they told me when I called Monroe. The only thing I had to reuse was the lower bolts and nuts, and they were in good condition.

2. The driver's rear upper wasn't quite the horror story I expected - plenty of room for tools, and it was only a little awkward to reach. (Had the bolt been frozen, I have no doubt I'd have a different story.)

3. All nuts and bolts came off pretty easily, but this might have been because I did a dry run last week by jacking and jack standing the truck, rotating the tires, pulling the front mud screens in the wheel well, and PB Blasting all nuts and bolts, front and rear. I expect giving it a week to work helped.

4. Having a floor jack works much better than trying to get off cheaply. I bought a Norco 71230A locally for $200. It's more expensive than the $80 ones I was looking at, but this one has a lifetime warranty. It seems to be a quality piece, though heavy, and I could easily modulate the let down. I figure I cut my jacking time in half about, compared with a bottle jack.

5. I bought a 12-piece set of GearWrenches with flex heads, and now I don't know how I ever expected to get along without them. If you have nothing to torque, you can just look at them; they're that pretty.

6. Final tally - four shocks installed, one skinned knuckle, and no F-bombs. It took four hours, and I expect I could get the time down a bit next time, but there were no real delays anyhow - I just don't think I'll ever manage to do it in the 20-minute time frame I saw reported. It takes me longer than that to jack the truck and check it's stable.

Thanks for the help. I'm encouraged enough to try other stuff.

 

[SHUTUPNDRIVE]

When I did mine I had a hard time removing the springs. I took the new shocks to Murrays and had the parts counter guy take them off and install new ones. It was simple for him he had a hydraulic spring press. held the shaft with vicegrips and impacted the nuts right off. Imagine my horror when he attempted to use those vicegrips on the new shocks,to keep them from turning! What a freaking idiot! I'm glad I was there to stop him. The first few bumps I would've hit would've ruined the seal on the shocks. He said "I always do it that way". A good counter guy is hard to find. That was 40k miles ago , and I think I'm ready for a new set. They came with a LT warranty. I'm thinking of getting the new ones and swapping them for the ones with the new springs already installed. Has anybody else tried this?

 

[Jaywalker]

On my '98 I didn't have to remove the springs, so I didn't. I don't know what the '02 looks like, sorry.

Two more notes:
7. The Monroe Reflex feel great - kind of "supple," like a good sport sedan. I'm really impressed, and wouldn't have liked anything softer.

8. Shockwarehouse honors the "BLAZEVOY" discount code I found here on the forums, and they gave me an additional 10% off.

 

[techieman33]

I'm glad it all worked out for you