changing shocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cliffsta · 11-03-2004, 05:52 PM

Hoookay. I'm getting my shocks for my birthday this weekend, Gabriel Pro-Guards. Thats besides the point. Pretty much, i just gotta jack the truck up, take off the wheel, and take the old shocks off, right? Should i be able to re use my old bushings or should i go ahead and spring for new ones? Do I need to take my truck to get aligned after i change the shocks? It doesn't need it now, but i know whenever you touch the suspension, your supposed to get it alighned. Y'alls imput is appreciated.

SanitysBane · 11-03-2004, 05:55 PM

if you turn the wheel on the way to the right, then you can get to the right side shock without having to take the tire off, the rears don't require tire taking off ether. the bushings should come off with the shock and the new shock will have the bushing in it, hopefully we are thinking of the same thing, and no, you don't need to get your truck aligned after instaling shocks.

cliffsta · 11-04-2004, 12:14 AM

My dad said he helped his longtime bud change shocks on his Chevelle back in the day of, well, Chevelles, and he said he remembers it was a bia because lining things up was hard. Then again, he admitted to, other, things and says himself he doesn't remember totallly the whole ordeal. This is a fairly easy job, right? An hour or two?

leastbay · 11-04-2004, 12:17 AM

depending on your tools it owuld probabally be an hour or less youre only talking about 8 bolts

Russell · 11-04-2004, 12:28 AM

I did mine in about an hour. Absolute only thing I've EVER done on my truck that was done without a hitch, lol

SanitysBane · 11-04-2004, 12:40 AM

its really easy to do, one thing about chevelles(we have a 1970) is that it is cramped. crap is pilled on top of more crap, thats why i hate working on cars, and love working on trucks so much. the only thing worse is working on a corvette, THOES are pains in the butt

cliffsta · 11-04-2004, 05:22 PM

Sweet. I've been waiting for new shocks forever. The last time my dad had the things changed (he's turned into the biggest slacker since, well, since i was born) was when i was like 2, straight pimpin in like 1991 or something. Its BAD in red, looks like i got hydraulics.
While im doing this, what can i do to eleviate my 1 inch gangsta lean? I know its not bad when no one is in it, but when im in it, it goes Snoop Dogg. And i don't weigh that much either.

leastbay · 11-04-2004, 06:06 PM

you really cant do anything about that alot of people have that problem either your springs are worn or your bushings under your cab are worn you could change all of that stuff but its a pain

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2004, 08:31 AM

While you're under there, put a socket on the upper shock mounts and make sure they're tight. They have a habit of getting loose and wallowing out the frame holes.

It's a big nut on the inside of the frame where the front upper shock stud goes through. Just pull it as tight as you can.

leastbay · 11-05-2004, 02:06 PM

the nut is a 7/8 on the top mount

beaterC10 · 11-05-2004, 02:34 PM

You guys must be luckier than me. I put rear shocks on my '84 recently and had to replace the upper shock mounts and the lower bolts. They were seized and broke off with the application of a wrench.

Actually that makes it quicker. You don't have to fight the ratty threads all the way off.

11-03-2004, 05:52 PM	#1
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	changing shocks Hoookay. I'm getting my shocks for my birthday this weekend, Gabriel Pro-Guards. Thats besides the point. Pretty much, i just gotta jack the truck up, take off the wheel, and take the old shocks off, right? Should i be able to re use my old bushings or should i go ahead and spring for new ones? Do I need to take my truck to get aligned after i change the shocks? It doesn't need it now, but i know whenever you touch the suspension, your supposed to get it alighned. Y'alls imput is appreciated. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-03-2004, 05:55 PM	#2
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	if you turn the wheel on the way to the right, then you can get to the right side shock without having to take the tire off, the rears don't require tire taking off ether. the bushings should come off with the shock and the new shock will have the bushing in it, hopefully we are thinking of the same thing, and no, you don't need to get your truck aligned after instaling shocks. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

11-04-2004, 12:14 AM	#3
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	My dad said he helped his longtime bud change shocks on his Chevelle back in the day of, well, Chevelles, and he said he remembers it was a bia because lining things up was hard. Then again, he admitted to, other, things and says himself he doesn't remember totallly the whole ordeal. This is a fairly easy job, right? An hour or two? __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-04-2004, 12:28 AM	#5
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I did mine in about an hour. Absolute only thing I've EVER done on my truck that was done without a hitch, lol __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

11-04-2004, 12:40 AM	#6
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	its really easy to do, one thing about chevelles(we have a 1970) is that it is cramped. crap is pilled on top of more crap, thats why i hate working on cars, and love working on trucks so much. the only thing worse is working on a corvette, THOES are pains in the butt __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

11-04-2004, 12:17 AM	#4
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	depending on your tools it owuld probabally be an hour or less youre only talking about 8 bolts

11-04-2004, 05:22 PM	#7
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Sweet. I've been waiting for new shocks forever. The last time my dad had the things changed (he's turned into the biggest slacker since, well, since i was born) was when i was like 2, straight pimpin in like 1991 or something. Its BAD in red, looks like i got hydraulics. While im doing this, what can i do to eleviate my 1 inch gangsta lean? I know its not bad when no one is in it, but when im in it, it goes Snoop Dogg. And i don't weigh that much either. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

11-04-2004, 06:06 PM	#8
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	you really cant do anything about that alot of people have that problem either your springs are worn or your bushings under your cab are worn you could change all of that stuff but its a pain

11-05-2004, 08:31 AM	#9
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	While you're under there, put a socket on the upper shock mounts and make sure they're tight. They have a habit of getting loose and wallowing out the frame holes. It's a big nut on the inside of the frame where the front upper shock stud goes through. Just pull it as tight as you can. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-05-2004, 02:06 PM	#10
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	the nut is a 7/8 on the top mount

11-05-2004, 02:34 PM	#11
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	You guys must be luckier than me. I put rear shocks on my '84 recently and had to replace the upper shock mounts and the lower bolts. They were seized and broke off with the application of a wrench. Actually that makes it quicker. You don't have to fight the ratty threads all the way off.



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