How to Change Shocks on a Truck — Installing Guidance
After a long time of driving a vehicle, you may find that when the vehicle goes over the potholes, you can feel the impact inside itself. If you own a truck, you may have upgraded all the interiors, added a new car stereo and the likes, but never thought about the shock absorbers much. These shock absorbers do not last a lifetime. It is imperative for you to go for a change of shock absorbers after a few years. It is something that you can do on your own with a little of caution and with the right tools.
Steps to Follow to Change Shocks on a Truck
Step 1:
Check for the shocks in the market. There are vehicles with front and rear shocks or simply struts on the rear or for the entire vehicle. You can also change the shocks in any way with a little research. You can pick one from coil shocks, reservoir shocks, or monotube shocks and more. Buy it and get ready to follow the next step for replacing the old ones with the new.
Step 2:
Lift the vehicle’s rear or front end properly. Make it one wheel at a time whether you are lifting and replacing the front or rear strut or shocks. The jack should firmly hold up the rear axle before you do the same for the other wheel in the rear.
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Step 3:
Jack up the vehicle to allow you to look easily and work on the shocks with ease. Make sure that you do this properly and most importantly keep the vehicle on the even surface before you go for it.
Step 4:
Position the truck properly and lock the wheels. Try loosening the wheels and nuts of the part where you wish to replace the shocks. You will find that with road’s dirt, and use, the nuts are not coming off so easily. Jack up the vehicle and simply spray oil on the nuts that you wish to remove to help you remove the shocks and wheels. This is going to be the most difficult and stressful part of the whole work of replacing the shocks. You will need to use the wrench to hit on the rusted and old gritty parts and take them out. However, take care of the threads if you do not have new threads.
Step 5:
Remove the old shocks and replace with the new. While removing the bolts and threads, take care of not damaging it by trying to wrench it out. Similarly, while replacing the old with new ones, bolt it right and then allow the shock retainers to relax.
Step 6:
After you do the same with the shocks on the other wheel of the similar side, make sure that your shocks are firmly in place and strong. Do not leave behind any debris or nuts after you finish the work.
Overall, the work should not take a long time if you have all the spares and tools in hand.
