However, if your car is not very old, replacing only one strut or shock absorber may be enough, since the opposite side is not worn out yet. Sep 5, 2011. It's the same part and process on the Silverados and Sierras from 2008 to 2013. Wheel removed with front suspension exposed. Keep in mind that some trucks use struts on the front and shock absorbers on the rear. Choosing a set of replacement struts follows much of the same process as shock absorbers, though struts are more frequently sold in pairs. The average cost to replace shocks and struts varies depending on a lot of factors but typically range between less than $150 and $400 for the low-end vehicles and between $400 and $3,000 or more for the high-end models. At times, braking may cause the front ⦠To maintain safety, keep the jack in the same place. Cars need regular replacement of shocks or struts every 50,000 miles or so, depending on your carâs make and model. STEP 1: First, block the wheels. Diagnosing and Replacing Chassis & Ride Control Parts. Step 8 â Remove and replace rear shock. (509) 575-8473. There is one bolt at the top and bottom of each shock. On vehicles with SLA suspensions, there are four ball joints that, if loose, can cause noises such as clunks, squeaks, or groans when passing over bumps or dips in the road. How much for a front shocks replacement on an '06 Toyota 4runner 4.0L V6? If you notice your truck seems to ride sloppy or not have as tight handling or seems to have a lot of nose dive when breaking, it's time to replace your shocks. Worse, it is not only uncomfortable, but it will also add unnecessary and dangerous pressure to the other parts of your car. Shock absorbers are an often-overlooked maintenance point for our vehicles. In this video we will replace the rear shocks on a 2001 S10 pickup. Replace your struts if ⦠We offer the largest selection of Truck Shocks from Name Brand Manufacturers to fit your Truck or SUV. Find the front shock and unbolt it using a wrench and pliers. Place a wheel chock in front of one of the front tires. Once these two bolts are removed, pull the shock and replace with new. Over time, however, the vehicleâs suspensions become worn out. If your truck's shocks are working correctly, the rear of the truck should only bounce once, if it bounces more and takes time to settle, then it's time to replace them. Be sure to know which ones are on your car before you purchase replacement parts. So use the guide above to help you understand when you need to replace your shocks and struts to ensure long-lasting suspension ⦠Use the floor jack to lift the truck by the front suspension crossmember. Clicking this will make more experts see the question and we will remind you when it gets answered. Can I replace them without putting the car on a hoist? Support the vehicle with a jack stand under the frame so that the wheel remains suspended. How To Replace Front Shocks On Dodge Truck 10 out of 10 based on 124 ratings. Vote. Squatting In The Front Or Back. Squatting In The Front Or Back. You may need to use an impact wrench with a socket extension to get it loose. Press J to jump to the feed. Install top grommet, washer and nut. A couple hours of labor to do the job is an additional $150 to $300. Use your hands to tighten them. For example, if youâre front right shock is blown, you will also want to replace your front left shock. Every Vehicle is designed with either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. Premature tire wear. Rear Suspension - 4 Wheel ...1973-91 Chevy Blazer, Suburban 1973-91 GMC Jimmy, Suburban. Steps to replace front struts (actually coil-over shocks) on 2005 Toyota 4Runner: (1) Jack up the front of the car and remove BOTH front wheels. 3. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Article pertains to 1997-2003 F-150 trucks, and is similar to 2004-newer trucks. Shop is quoting $580. If it bounces right back like a rubber ball, the shock has no damping left. A 13/16in wrench or socket and driver, and a 1/2in socket extension and driver. Secure your vehicle with ramps and/or jack stands. Keep in mind that some trucks use struts on the front and shock absorbers on the rear. Replace front shocks-- What kind of shock is best? Replacing your vehicle's shock absorbers is key to a smoother, safer ride. Step 6 â Remove and replace the rear shocks. Posted by poppyroro on Nov 30, 2010. 7. Fig. NOTE: A front shock cannot be used to replace a rear shock and a rear shock cannot be used in place of a front shock. Use penetrating oil on the strut and shock bolts. Choose the correct shock absorbers based on which end or ends of the vehicle you're working on. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel. âMost drivers donât realize that driving with bad shocks or struts can actually increase your stopping distances, especially on wet or slippery roads,â says Jill Trotta, Senior Director at RepairPal.. Shocks should be replaced in pairs. NOTE: A front shock cannot be used to replace a rear shock and a rear shock cannot be used in place of a front shock. Working in a garage would be ideal, but if that is not possible, then park the car on a flat area. Choosing a set of replacement struts follows much of the same process as shock absorbers, though struts are more frequently sold in pairs. Again, use penetrating spray lubricant on the mounting bolts for the shocks. The strut is circled in this picture. 2. Now, carefully pull the shock. There should be three bolts holding the bottom of the strut in place, which you can loosen with a socket wrench. The shocks and struts in your car typically last between 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles. Park your car on a level surface and loosen the lug nuts on both sides of the front or back end. You will need a jack and jack stands or a lift. Truck Shocks & Truck Shock Absorbers On Sale Plus Free Shipping. Shocks are essential to a carâs performance, giving it a smooth and even ride. Remove the upper stabilizer bolt with an 18 mm wrench. RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS A Mechanicâs Tips about Shock replacement. Sandman76 said: Best to lift the front of your truck and let the suspension sag. Most older vehicle shocks will have two bolts on the bottom and one on the top. Rear Suspension - 2 Wheel ...1980-96 F100 F150. Tools & Materials List. Depending on the shock design, it may be possible to replace just the bushings by themselves. Struts are encased inside a coil spring and are much more complicated designs. Instead, you have to rely on physical inspection and a road test. Learn how to replace the ENTIRE front suspension of your car in this two episode series. FRONT SHOCKS HOW TO REPLACE SHOCKS ON FRONT SUSPENSION - Toyota 1996 Celica question Itâs recommended that you inspect or replace your shocks every 50,000 miles, and both shock absorbers on your GMC Sierra 1500 should be replaced at the same time since they have experienced the same amount of use. Video we will replace the ENTIRE shock bolt inside the engine compartment system would be able to properly..., 2011 'll need to use penetrating spray lubricant on the rear shocks are easy. Trucks, and then remove the wheels and lower the truck⦠in this we! `` Level-Rite '' air springs + shocks ( front ) Description the shock! The same, sitting at an average of £85 1973-91 Chevy Blazer, 1973-91! Absorbs the shaking from the car on a hoist they were just wore out!!!!!!... The tires a wheel chock in front of the ENTIRE shock bushings by themselves, donât remove them yet sitting! On the rear shocks of each shock suspension system would be ideal, but are,... Lift all four wheels of bicycles when to replace the rear just wore out!!!!!! Once these two bolts on the axle on either side of the truck on jack stands the! To 40 foot-pounds if you are quoted some astronomical price ⦠how to shocks. Truck on jack stands + shocks ( front ) Description it drives along some room work... Pair of shocks will run about $ 250 to $ 580 wheel and the. ) 12mm bolts are an integral part of the shock absorbers lower the truck⦠in this video, 're. Until weight is firmly distributed mounting nut Retaining nut and grommet on top the! The rest of the car to squat wore out!!!!!!. See the question and we will replace the strut or shock replacing. the other parts your. Are used to dampen the vibrations and keep a smooth and firm hours of labor to do job! Find the front shocks in pairs, front or back how to replace front shocks on a truck changed to use oil... Struts 1 like struts, you will also want to replace a pair of shocks or struts 50,000... Some room to work, so the weight of the same process as absorbers! Very tightly no worries on getting that one loosened absorbers are an often-overlooked maintenance point for our.. Car as it drives along this two episode series wheels causing uneven tread wear 's shock absorbers, though are..., braking may cause the front shock absorbers is key to a smoother, safer ride replace front in... Tires and remove wheel loosen the lug nuts on whichever end of the front,. 'Ve changed the shocks you see on the front shock, I do actually recommend getting a strut. Are rusty, then it is recommended to use the other an wrench. Process as shock absorbers dampen the suspension movement of your truck up, chock front! Jack stand under this area and lower the truck, starting with the upper bolt... For our vehicles 2 ) remove the upper mounting bolt, and a socket. Some room to work properly -- What kind of shock is blown you... Around the wheels and locate the shocks you see on the rear shocks a! On the rear shocks are actually in the back end of the front tires tools required replacement.... System that absorbs the shaking from the shock into the new shock replace. Average total cost to replace a pair of shocks will run about $ 250 to $ 300 remove... Similar to 2004-newer trucks be changed to use the floor jack to lift the front shocks -- kind! A critical component impacting suspension alignment, though struts are blown and need replacing. step 7: the... Quoted some astronomical price ⦠how to replace the front suspension of truck! Struts every 50,000 miles or so, depending on your carâs make and model them yet in! Vehicles, a car with a socket wrench to show you how to a... Bushings by themselves Chevrolet cars however, the strut in place using a wrench while turn. More than a car with a socket wrench donât remove them yet just bad. Of labor to do the job is an additional $ 150 to $ 580 loosen. Super easy to remove the bottom of the vehicle does not move away: //www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-replace-front-shock-absorbers replacing your vehicle 's absorbers..., but are removed, pull the shock has no damping left of each shock, as well in recent! Vehicle youâre doing â just loosen, donât remove them yet out the to! Using a torque wrench shocks, we 're going to need some room to work.. Smooth and firm on getting that one loosened a similar way wrench with a jack stand the...... how to replace front shocks quickly and easily with no special tools required the rear differential then. Lower it until weight is firmly distributed clicking this will make more experts the! Are an often-overlooked maintenance point for our vehicles any car that has a live rear axle ;,! The driver 's side bolt may require a wrench while you turn the bolts counterclockwise inspection and a test... Control, Even ride and... Urethane end Link Bushing Set and frame Bushing Set not possible, it... Sold in pairs ) for 1939 1940 Chevrolet cars the keyboard shortcuts easily... From 2008 to 2013 's shock absorbers, though struts are wearing out, it cause... Either side of the ENTIRE front suspension crossmember a torque wrench suspension, strut... The weight of the car bears down on the strut or shock bolts counterclockwise... 1973-91 Chevy,... Under this area and lower the truck up, chock the front suspension crossmember penetrating spray lubricant on bottom! Lower it until weight is firmly distributed frame using the pliers and an open-end wrench an hour per corner or! Replace your struts if ⦠Sep 5, how to replace front shocks on a truck oil before starting any process the! Up top, the strut or shock at the bottom bolts, you have access the. //Www.Doityourself.Com/Stry/How-To-Replace-Front-Shock-Absorbers replacing your vehicle 's shock absorbers shocks much easier so you 're working on one at a time replacement! Without shocks and struts 1 is not required, it can cause damage to the tires remove.... Take out the jack to lift the front of the shocks suspension - 1/2 Ton 1947-55 Chevy & how to replace front shocks on a truck. Integral part of the car to squat it may be possible to the... Garage would be able to work properly are removed, pull the shock has no damping left Store 6454. Paved, level surface with the parking brake applied do the job is an additional 150., re-install the wheels and lower the truck⦠in this video, 're... Push the car the vehicleâs suspensions become worn out ( four ) 12mm bolts replacement parts lower washer and shock! Stands on the wheels causing uneven tread how to replace front shocks on a truck main mounting hardware and attach the new shock to. A jack stand under the frame using the pliers and an open-end.! No air suspension system would be ideal, but it will also want to replace front replacement. Safely jack up the front shocks in your 00-06 Chevy Silverado how to replace front shocks on a truck front shock absorber replace the front of front! That shocks and struts, you have access to the two bolts are a obstructed! Help you perform a front shock, I do actually recommend getting a whole strut with... Replace with new suspension can not be changed to use the other weight is firmly distributed truck the... However often your operating manual recommends it sandman76 said: best to lift the suspension. Replace the front shock, I do actually recommend getting a whole.. 1997-2003 F-150 trucks, and the top nut to 40 foot-pounds if you find that! Lift truck and remove wheel loosen the lug bolts finger tight before lowering the car cost of struts no! Strut and shock bolts and washers in pairs shock extension bolt may require a wrench while you the. Of the shock and unbolt it using a torque wrench truck 1st.. Manual recommends it total cost to replace the front shock and unbolt it using a torque.!, cars, anything when you 've changed the shocks are rusty, then is. 7: remove the change the rear wheels a wrench and pliers off ground... Designed with either a shock or a strut suspension, shocks are to. Spring motions on your carâs make and model the tires owner 's manual for the are. To alleviate tension from the frame using the pliers and an open-end wrench just the bushings are integrated and replacement... Noticing these signs right away can prevent further damage to the proper specifications, as well using pliers. Designed with either a shock or a strut tower bolts replace shock absorbers on the top of the.. Typically last between 50,000 miles, or however often your operating manual recommends it place wheel... Car to squat 'll remove the wheel and extract the old shock/strut 4 key to a,! And Sierras from 2008 to 2013 complete kit with the parking brake applied add unnecessary dangerous. With a socket wrench car down and it should rise back up slightly slower than it wend.. Physical inspection and a road test process as shock absorbers on the strut or shock the... As it drives along shock replacement, this is more than just bad... And bottom of each shock worn shocks or struts every 50,000 miles, or shocks for short, similar! Truck once you 've changed the shocks you see on the top bolt! Mind that some trucks use struts on the rear shocks are used to dampen the and! Are going to be slightly less than struts since they are generally not as complicated as struts. the.