Replacing factory front shocks at 310k miles...any advice?

I drove my gen2 2013 DCLB for nearly 310k miles with the original factory front shocks
changing them soon (doing the swap out myself, I plan to take the strut assembly out at home & take to a shop with a press to actually replace the shock, then reinstall the assembly when I get home)

I would love insight form fellow TW users about any special tools I need/should acquire prior to starting this party & any tips/advice on the procedure

thanks to all & happy trucking

 

Jeebus Christ just retire that poor old coil too unless you somehow get a kick out of re-using it

 

sorry - I just noticed I put this in the wrong forum
whoops
how do I fix that?
or can someone do it for me?

 

You can rent a spring compressor from auto store and do it yourself. Piece of cake if you can remove the shock assembly yourself. Can all be done with hand tools, mostly 12, 14, 17 & 19mm and a torque wrench (not really needed)

 

Rent two spring compressors. Dangerous to use one, depending on design. No real need for a shop. Torque wrench wouldn't hurt but not necessary, just make it tight enough to trust not to come off at speed. Make marks of how everything is aligned and take pictures. Also, replace the coil springs. I wish I had when I had them apart. Old springs will wear out your shiny new shocks quicker.

 

^This.

Don't mess with a spring compressor. At that many miles I'd replace everything (shock/coil/top hat.) Buy an assembled unit and swap it on for the old one. It's slightly more expensive but it's way more convenient. If you want you can save your original top hat for when you're ready for your third set of shocks at 620k

 

Doh! There’s two clamps in every spring compressor set I’ve ever seen. And provided they’re in good shape they work well with stock coilovers or Bilstein 5100 because there’s enough clearance between the coil and shock body.

If you got brass balls you don’t even need one. Factory bottle jack under lower control arm will do the trick also up to a certain spring stiffness

 

I've got like 125k miles, and I know my springs are worn out, let alone the shocks (the fronts are coilovers, not struts, btw). I replaced my fronts with Kings a year or so ago, and the leafs are next with likely Deavers.

With 300+k, it's almost guaranteed your springs are gone, too. Just replace everything. If you're looking for a lift, get the OME kit, comes with everything.

You can rent the spring compressor tool for free at most autoparts stores. Make sure you get the coilover/strut compressor, not the coil spring compressor, though...

 

replaced front and back after alotta tow'n/haul'n at 150k. autozone loans out spring compressor kit... friend helped, took bout 2-3hrs. got the struts and shocks at autozone... think they are kyb's. mean green's back on the road gett'n paid $$$

 

I had an internal kind it seems, and it didn't work as I ended up needing 2

 

If its a daily driver to be honest a great deal in the Monroe quick strut.
They are a good daily driver strut and spring setup.

You get new struts and springs as one setup all ready put together.

Monroe has a lifetime warranty on them. You can replace or return them for free
anytime for any reason you feel like they are worn out.

I got mine done at Pepboys on sale very reasonable and they have a sale usually
for installation for 125.00 for the set and I use the life time warranty I have at Firestone to
get the truck alignment after.

I get my oil changed at the dealership every 5k and they tell me if the alignment is out or if it correct.

You have to find a good Firestone location, they are hit or miss.

I have had 3 sets installed so far for free replacing them at 75,000 each time
and getting them installed for the special of usually 125.00 for the set each time.

 

mine are original still and feel firm as ever, sooner or later they will wear out, but when?
.... they are sure getting an abnormal workout after this past winter's literal destruction of every road in the city save 1 or 2 + freeway is a mess
they have been working on patching them still after over a month since the snow all disappeared
the craters that used to be have now turned into mini speed bumps all over the place!
wish i had a dash cam i would take you all on a tour lol

 

I just recently replaced the shocks on 95 I bought with 255,000. I am pretty sure both shocks and springs were original. Just for the..., I tried just the shocks first. Yeah, the pogo stick effect is gone, but I can still tell the springs are toasted. I knew warm weather was coming and I don't mind the work taking them back off, but I should have known better.

To answer your question, I used O'Reilly's rental compressor, and survived. I do use a piece of high tensile boating rope and tie the spring to my vice in case the compressor breaks. And, I use a ratchet instead of an impact and take them down gradually, never letting one side get far ahead of the other as far as how much compression has occurred.

 

Your good here, we all have "older" trucks. And we've all done shocks.. I would seriously consider swapping the coils too. It's a couple bucks more, but you'll enjoy the ride.check out rockauto.com. just bought shocks for my sequoia with preloaded struts for under 300.00 shipped.

 

We were out tonight with another couple and happened to notice a car stopping opposite us at a light. I ,driving, and the other guy, in the back seat no less, saw the front end of that car bounce no less than six times after be stopped.Who knows how many miles were on them but they don't last forever, especially if you drive on bad roads regularly. I agree about the quick struts. They are easy ,fast, cheap and safe to install.

 

I have never changed my front shock....310k miles on original factory set
also- I have never had an alignment in 310k miles
nutz, huh?
still goes straight down the road

I am tempted to stick with factory oem parts due to the long life I got out of the original oem parts
& no abnormal wear on my tires either

 

note- I have no pogo stick effect, so Im not sure if if I am just wasting my time changing the front shocks
they seem fine to me, no leaks...but everyone tells me shocks last 50k miles & I have 310k on mine so I am kinda of just changing them for peace of mind, not any real issue

 

my shocks must still be good after 22yrs on these mofo roads around here anymore
60mph on a very-little traveled stretch of I-29 in Iowa that has not been repaved in probably decades, just patched to the point of a million little speed bumps
feels like my back end is going airborne!! every time I run over them
but it never keeps on bouncing, just finds the equilibrium point and keeps on truckin'
i am sure they will wear out sooner or later but when!?

i don't do much heavy hauling anymore, so that might be why i dunno

 

yup, replace the coils