What do you all typically replace when you do shocks?

My 2015 DCSB has 155k miles, and it's time to do shocks. While I have it up, what are some other components you all recommend replacing? I am doing brake shoes on the back as well. I have heard ball joints and wheel bearings. Any advice?

 

Don't recommend replacing the joints, it is a good time to check the joints and see if they are loose when you have the shock off, if they are loose change em.

 

Nothing really needs to be replaced at the same time... But there are some things to check

Check the LCA and UCA bushings to see what shape they are in. It might be hard to see but give them a good yank back and forth and see how easy they move.

With the wheel still on, grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and give it a good wiggle. It should be solid af, but if you hear a noise it could indicate ball joints are going bad.

Once the wheel is off the brake pads are easy to check. And I find it easier to check the wheel bearing with the wheel off too. Just give it a spin by hand and it should feel smooth. If it feels like it's grinding at all then that would indicate it's time for those as well.

If you have a 4x4, it might be worth looking into doing the ECGS needle bearing fix. You can kinda check this before hand by just getting under the truck and seeing how much play your driver side axel has where it enters the dif. If there's lots of play then it might be a good idea to swap out that needle bearing for the ECGS bushing (typically you will hear a groaning noise when driving if this has gone bad, and switching into 4x4 usually silences it. That's how you know it's the needle bearing). This will require draining and refilling your dif fluid though. Also a good time to check your CV boots for tears.

 

Ya just start grabin stuff, if it wobbles give it a closer look.

 

Definitely do not need to drain the diff to do the ECGS.

My rear brakes went over 200k... just sayin
Look for torn boots and address any rust.

 

Do you not? That sure makes it a bit easier. I haven't actually done mine yet, just started looking into it. Most other vehicles I've pulled the front axels out needed to have the dif drained first.

 

Some fluid will come out when you pop the cv, then just top it off when you're done.

If you need to do a fluid change this would be a good time.

Last one I did we needed to add 1/2 quart to get it to full.

 

Nothing to add for the rear shocks. On the front, consider replacing the top mounts, see

$28 KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit

KYB SM5640. Also consider adding a 1/4” poly spacer on the driver side to help offset the Taco lean. If you measure the front height, you’ll see the driver side sits lower than the passenger side. You will be loosening the cambolts; you can check if they are seized so you can replace them, accordingly.

 

Follow up,
Front coils: good practice to replace with the shocks? Do these 'go bad'?

 

i would check the bushing on the lower contol arm. UCA. and i bet your radiator support bushings are shot as well

yeah. over time they do. they will start to "sag" or get tried.

 

Going Bilstein 4600 all around.

Is there a way to measure or inspect them when they are out? Is there a minimum height?