Installing Shocks

[blackcoffee]

I finally got my Bilstein Heavy Duty's at my house.
Will someone post step by step EXACTLY how to remove the old shocks and the put on the new shocks front and rear for a 4x4 1998 2 Door Tahoe.
I'd REALLY appreciate it and might even pay you ha...
I've never had to change shocks before I don't think.

 

[99COOP]

couldnt be easier. Literally both the front and the back consist of an upper and lower bolt that has to be loosened and removed. Replacing the fronts are a tiny be more work only because they are harder to access, the rears have alot more space but you have to loosen two bolts on the top of the rear shock which can be kinda hard to get at. Honestly just go to work and you wont have a problem, if you do post up and someone im sure will chime in.

 

[blackcoffee]

Ok thats what it looked like ha. So when I redo them theres nothing special I have to do? No putting them on at a certain pound per square inch or something with a torque wrench or anything like that? Just simply bolt them on?

 

[99COOP]

I'm sure they do have a torque rating, but i always just snugged them up tight. You might want to put some anti-seize compound on the threads though, you will be happy you did when it comes time to pull them off for any reason.

 

[cmcarr85]

Simple install.... Take the old ones off and put the new ones on the same way.. Just tighten them as snug as you can get them. You can do it, its not hard at all...

 

[AtomicHoe094]

hopefully your clips on the top of the rear shocks dont break.. happened to me and was a pain in the dick to get em off.

I used a life when i did my shocks, everything is easier on a lift tho
you should get an alignment after replacing any suspension parts

 

[99COOP]

yea i snapped those clips too, it's a real pita. However you wont need an alignment after replacing the shocks.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

yea i snapped those clips too, it's a real pita. However you wont need an alignment after replacing the shocks.

idk man, Im I-car certified in suspension and alignments and both say to get an alignment after replacing anytime of suspension part. i mean it could never hurt, around here they charge 40 bucks to do 4wheels...

 

[99COOP]

I agree with that, always good to get it done. But changing the shocks wont affect camber or toe at all, and with the trucks that have solid rear axle's they cant be aligned on the rear axle so the 4 wheel alignment wouldn't benefit there. I would get it aligned anytime you adjust the upper and lower control arms cause the cam bolts will be out of position, wheel hubs, idler, pitman arms, tierods, and ball joints.

 

[blackcoffee]

I got them in the other day. Love them! I can turn on a dime now in this big ol' thing. It just drives alot better. It's a very stiff ride. Still alittle to rough though I guess I need to replace a couple other things... And I do need to get an alignment now I can feel it.