Alignment after rear shock replacement.

Failed inspection for a bad rear shock. I have no garage or wide range of tools/jack stands or time right now to do it myself. Dealer says they always do an alignment after working on suspension components. Rear shocks ! Really ! I get the general principle. But rear shocks ! Am I missing something ?

 

No way to even allign the rear. Just get them changed.

 

don’t do that. that’s dishonest on the part of the dealer if they “always” do an alignment if they touch rear suspension. Wow...

 

Time for a new dealer or a cheap set of Harbor Freight tools

 

Complete bs. They just want to squeeze an extra $1xx.00 out of you so they can put it on the rack, make no adjustments, and tell you that you are now aligned.
Any NTB, discount tire, small shop should be able to replace a rear shock in about 15 minutes.

Where are you OP, I'm sure if a TW member is close you could take it over and they can help you. Shoot if you close to Atlanta, bring it to my house and i'll do it for you for free.

 

Upsell, while on the lift there will be other stuff needed also like fuel injector cleaning, spark plugs, muffler bearings, ect.

 

As stated, no alignment is necessary.

 

https://youtu.be/VkhMt4itnAI

 

Thanks to all for the info !!

 

I'm not sure what tools you do or do not actually have, but in all reality you can swap out your shocks with a simple adjustable crescent wrench if you had to. Probably the easiest thing to change out on our trucks. The shocks will come with a compression retainer that looks like a bent coat hanger keeping the shock compressed for $$$ savings on shipping. Keep that on while you bolt up the bottom and then remove it once bolted up. It will slowly extend to full length and if you are somewhat capable- you can pop it into the upper mount while its in movement fairly easily. I may or may not have had to do this a few times...

 

That's not technically true though I get what you're saying.
4 wheel alignment on our trucks means that the front wheels get adjusted based on the trajectory or the rear (drive) wheels to create a good ride.
Now you're in the realm of capable good alignment ships though and not the crappy firestone toe and go shithouses.

Other than that 4 wheel alignment is done after a collision that deformed the chassis or those places that also sell you muffler bearings and top off 4 gallons of blinker fluid

 

Always good to have a few tools around but it'd def be my last visit to the stealership....Thieving , lying fucks they are...

 

I dunno. Seems a little harsh. The techs are encouraged to up sell any time they can. Most hate having to do that.

The great thing about the internet is questions can be answered very rapidly.

 

Not harsh at all, theres a huge difference between someone trying to soft sell you something & someone just straight up lying to you...

 

As others have said, it’s a really easy job that requires minimum tools. I’m sure a TW member would be glad to help you out if you’re close. I doubt you’re in the Joshua Tree CA area but if you are, I’d head over with tools and help no problem.

 

https://youtu.be/spGpKnBejUI
Watch this video and it’s a piece of cake. The rear shock is literally one bolt at the bottom and a nut up top.

Harbor freight tool will get the job done. You’d only have to invest in a torque wrench. I’m sure you can handle a 1 hour job if it’s just a shock. My resivoirs took a bit to install.

Before

After

 

If you're replacing (or even just removing and reinstalling) the SPRINGS, then it should get an alignment. But not needed for just shocks.

 

Yeah, you can slip it a bit while loose sitting on the centering pins of the leafs before tightening down the u bolts but very little "adjustment" available that way. If just changing shocks, no need.

 

Hey guys I just replaced both rear shocks on my 2005 4x4 with some mid grade Gas Adjust ones. Love how easy it was. My question is: how do I know what compression to set them to. I noted how many threads were showing on the top bolt when I removed the old ones, and tried to match that. My truck seems to sway a bit more, side to side. The ride is much smoother now though, maybe it just feels different since my old ones were shot? Thanks!

 

What state? If in Utah, I'm sure we could find you an army of people to help swap a shock.