Rear shock replacement

[jonb2]

Quick question. When replacing rear shocks do you jack up from rear differential and place jack stands under each axle...or do the jack stands go under the frame somewhere? thanks!

 

[Elan750]

I didnt use a jack at all :yo:

But if you want to take the wheels off, then just support the frame at the designated jack spots.

 

[Ralphman]

Quick question. When replacing rear shocks do you jack up from rear differential and place jack stands under each axle...or do the jack stands go under the frame somewhere? thanks!

Under the frame if you want your suspension to drop if you put them under your axle then your suspension is still loaded and all you did was get the tires off the ground

 

[jonb2]

So how did you do it without jacking up the rear. The shock is still under load and you were able to remove/replace with vehicle on the ground?

Just trying to find the easiest way to do this whether wheels on or off doesn't matter. thanks.

 

[techno]

I've replaced them without even taking the wheel off. Just undo the top nut, compress the shock by hand until the top pin is clear and rotate it out of the way, then let it extend naturally, then remove the lower bolt. Done.

 

[alia176]

So how did you do it without jacking up the rear. The shock is still under load and you were able to remove/replace with vehicle on the ground?

Just trying to find the easiest way to do this whether wheels on or off doesn't matter. thanks.

Technically, a shocks doesn't support a vehicle like a spring does so it's not really under a "load". For newbies, it's easier to lift the vehicle up by the rear diff, place two jack stands under the axle housing. Then go ahead and remove the wheels and eventually the shocks.

Now, if you're trying to install gas pressurized shocks, you may have a hard time compressing them. If they're really hard to compress, it's easier to lift the rear end up high, place tall jack stands under the rear part of the frame on both sides, then remove the wheels. After that, lower the floor jack slowly until the vehicle rests safely on the stands, and then continue to lower the axle housing until it drops as far as possible. By having the rear axle at its lowest position, you won't have to compress the shocks as much for installation.

Hope all that made sense!

 

[Inv4drZm]

Technically, a shocks doesn't support a vehicle like a spring does so it's not really under a "load". For newbies, it's easier to lift the vehicle up by the rear diff, place two jack stands under the axle housing. Then go ahead and remove the wheels and eventually the shocks.

Now, if you're trying to install gas pressurized shocks, you may have a hard time compressing them. If they're really hard to compress, it's easier to lift the rear end up high, place tall jack stands under the rear part of the frame on both sides, then remove the wheels. After that, lower the floor jack slowly until the vehicle rests safely on the stands, and then continue to lower the axle housing until it drops as far as possible. By having the rear axle at its lowest position, you won't have to compress the shocks as much for installation.

Hope all that made sense!

Agreed. My Icon 2.5" were impossible to compress so they needed to be installed with the axle fully drooped. My brother's Icon 2" and and OME rear shocks could easily be compressed by hand and could be installed at stock ride height.