Stock Front Shock Removal

[Huck]

Did some searching and found THIS thread about removing the front shocks.

Okay, remove the tie rod and sway bar, check.
Unscrew the 3 nuts on the top of the shock bucket, check.
Do you have to remove the UCA from the knuckle or can you remove it from the LCA instead? Seems like either would work? What is easier and quicker?

A list of socket sizes and tools required for the job?

If there is a write-up or video somewhere that I missed when searching, please provide the link.

You can't remove the nuckle from the LCA without disconnecting the hub.

The ball joint bolt wont clear the buckle before the LCA contacts the hub ring.

Its easier to disconnect the the UCA and pull the shock out.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

You can't remove the nuckle from the LCA without disconnecting the hub.

The ball joint bolt wont clear the buckle before the LCA contacts the hub ring.

Its easier to disconnect the the UCA and pull the shock out.

Thanks Huck. I typed/asked that without looking. Took a look this morning and see exactly what you mean.

 

[ISFast]

I know at times the shock wouldn't slip right out so I would put a tie down strap in a loop and use my foot to pull the LCA/assembly to spread enough to slip the whole shock assembly out. Once the parts were worn in, the need wasn't really there.

 

[maxxuav]

Did anyone ever make a how-to video? Some idiot posted a video on youtube which is a useless timelapse. I'm about to tackle this myself.

 

[03Cobraraptor]

Did anyone ever make a how-to video? Some idiot posted a video on youtube which is a useless timelapse. I'm about to tackle this myself.

This would be great!
I followed a video on midperch mod which made it real easy!

A video on total front shock removal would be a great asset

 

[McGrath4u]

Did anyone ever make a how-to video? Some idiot posted a video on youtube which is a useless timelapse. I'm about to tackle this myself.

This would be great!

I followed a video on midperch mod which made it real easy!



A video on total front shock removal would be a great asset

Just did swapped mine this weekend. Wasn't too bad. About 2 hours aside if you look around in the front end for bearing play and checking iwe's.

As everyone else said jack the truck up, place jack stands, remove the caliper and mount together ( I did this to minimize weight from the knuckle once you remove the uca), remove away bar mount (I put a jack under the lca to allow the away bar to come out easily), remove the tie rod, remove the upper control arm.

Keep some metal coat hangers or zip ties around to hang the caliper and knuckle on. Disconnect the iwe vacuum line and make sure you are not pinching any on the lines as you droop the suspension out.

Remove the three top shock nuts (15mm) and then remove the lower shock bolt. I used a 3' breaker bar.

Shock should slide right out.

Shoot me a PM if you run into any issues.


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[maxxuav]

Just did swapped mine this weekend. Wasn't too bad. About 2 hours aside if you look around in the front end for bearing play and checking iwe's.

As everyone else said jack the truck up, place jack stands, remove the caliper and mount together ( I did this to minimize weight from the knuckle once you remove the uca), remove away bar mount (I put a jack under the lca to allow the away bar to come out easily), remove the tie rod, remove the upper control arm.

Keep some metal coat hangers or zip ties around to hang the caliper and knuckle on. Disconnect the iwe vacuum line and make sure you are not pinching any on the lines as you droop the suspension out.

Remove the three top shock nuts (15mm) and then remove the lower shock bolt. I used a 3' breaker bar.

Shock should slide right out.

Shoot me a PM if you run into any issues.


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Thanks for the info bud! I may try it this coming weekend.

 

[maxxuav]

Just did swapped mine this weekend. Wasn't too bad. About 2 hours aside if you look around in the front end for bearing play and checking iwe's.

As everyone else said jack the truck up, place jack stands, remove the caliper and mount together ( I did this to minimize weight from the knuckle once you remove the uca), remove away bar mount (I put a jack under the lca to allow the away bar to come out easily), remove the tie rod, remove the upper control arm.

Keep some metal coat hangers or zip ties around to hang the caliper and knuckle on. Disconnect the iwe vacuum line and make sure you are not pinching any on the lines as you droop the suspension out.

Remove the three top shock nuts (15mm) and then remove the lower shock bolt. I used a 3' breaker bar.

Shock should slide right out.

Shoot me a PM if you run into any issues.


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Ok, I must be doing something wrong. It was a mother f**** getting the shock out. No matter what I did, the shock was always under compression. I had to compress the shock with some ratchet straps, and I compressed the springs with strut compressors. What am I doing wrong here? I had to use two ratchet straps to get it back in and wasn't about to attempt the other side. I'm wondering if the springs that are on it are aftermarket because the front end sits about 1" higher than my father's 2014. I don't think it has the perch mod either just by looking at it.

 

[McGrath4u]

Ok, I must be doing something wrong. It was a mother f**** getting the shock out. No matter what I did, the shock was always under compression. I had to compress the shock with some ratchet straps, and I compressed the springs with strut compressors. What am I doing wrong here? I had to use two ratchet straps to get it back in and wasn't about to attempt the other side. I'm wondering if the springs that are on it are aftermarket because the front end sits about 1" higher than my father's 2014. I don't think it has the perch mod either just by looking at it.

Got pics of how far you got?


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[maxxuav]

Got pics of how far you got?


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I got the drivers side done. It took about 4 hours, most of that time spent with trial and error.