help on changing front shocks on a 2000 S10 4x4

[pluto]

After i remove the tire, do i have to support the lower A-arm before i remove the shock? i'm keeping the suspension stock so i'm going with Monroe cheapies. This is probably a basic install but its the first time i've attempted this. so i'm just letting you all know it is a serious question from me. thank you in advance,


dave

[Hammer Head]

Yes. It'd also be advised you purchase, or rent, a repair manual.. & be sure to read it. It'll have how to do the job & the torque specs, too. Good luck!

[pluto]

thanks for the fast response Hammer Head. now that i know this, i got it planned for saturday afternoon. i got the 18mm 1/2 inch drive socket and wrench so im good to go. i'll post the update during that time. does everyone respond this quick here? if so, im going to like this place.

[droopy89]

theres usually someone on here that knows something about something,, btw welcome to the planet

[Big Mack Daddy]

x2

[Slacker1357]

hmm.... could this be a 'How to:' by a newb? sweet....
maybe I can learn something... lol :D

post pics of step by step! :D

[87wildside]

Let the suspension fully droop.
Remove shock.
Bolt new shock in (start with top bolt, it's easier)
Drink beer.
hmm.... could this be a 'How to:' by a newb? sweet....
maybe I can learn something... lol :D

post pics of step by step! :DAre you kidding?:batman_12

[D-Caf]

Just so you know technically you do not need to support the lower A arm to change the shock on a 4x4, but it would make it much easier.

Now, it is a complete pain in the ass to change it. Remember NOT to cut the straps on the shock until after you have the top bolted in and have aligned the lower one.

Where the support on the bottom would come in hand is if you wanted to raise the lower A arm up to the compressed shock to bolt it in before cutting the tension strap. Otherwise you've got to be quick, so that when you cut the strap you aim the expanding shock into it's mounting hole and slide the bolt in before the shock expands too far.

If you don't get it bolted in then you're going to have a ***** of a time trying to compress the shock to get that second end bolted in. Trust me I know (and my knuckles remember as well).

[87wildside]

The cheap Monroe's shouldn't be as stiff as you IAS shocks.

[BigTruckDrivah]

BFH? Then drink beer

[pluto]

i changed out the front shocks last saturday. i ended up going with Gabriels. 19.95 each. the only thing i found was when you replace the shock on the drivers side, make sure to watch out for the wrench jamming against the brake lines that just happen to be in the way. and also make sure you dont get the wrench hung up on a spark plug cable on either side.



for the drivers side what i had to do was put a 2 inch piece of strapping between the upper shock mount and the wrench so i wouldnt squish the brake lines.



the reason i replaced the front shocks was because even though it handled well around corners, i was getting this annoying rattle over low speed bumps and cracks in the road.