Install New Shocks, Struts and H&R Springs

So I finished the driver's side front. Wow, that was a little bit of a battle with the spring compressor, then trying to assemble the strut again by myself. May need a hand from my buddy when I get to the next one tomorrow. So 3 down, one to go. :) I probably would've finished the other, but I tried to last in the 104 degree heat and had to throw in the towel.. Too much for me. I did get to test it out and I'm very happy. Feels well damped and smoother than stock, yet firm and controlled. Loving it.

Since I work from home, I'll try at lunch time tomorrow to see how far I can get before it gets too hot.
 
Finished the passenger side front, and I love it now! Rides firmer and smoother. Great upgrade!

Thanks again to Mtn FX for documenting this procedure. It was definitely about as straight forward as you can get! :good:
 
stabilizer link bar

wassup guys good write up mountain fx. Had 2 questions when you reinstall the stabilizer link bar where do you position the tab looking piece behind the bolt looks like a hook? I broke mine after trying to loosen it so I bought new ones so just wanted to know how to replace it. in the link its the silver pieces. your lower but it shows right behind the nut the upper one is behind whatever it connets to.http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ink+bar_02973_1431985_3427&showStores=true#at Also I cant get the lower strut bolts out I got the nuts off but when u loosin the bolt it just keeps spinnin im trying to hammer it out but wont go, do I jack up the knuckle or let down all the way? thanks in advance

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^ ive always had the stabilizer link tab positioned towards up. As for the bolt spinning, jack the knuckle up till you can pull the bolt out. Play around with the jack, ull find the sweet spot
 
The purpose of the silver tab/hook looking thing on the stabilizer link is to prevent the ball joint from spinning when removing/installing it. It doesn't matter which way it goes. You just need to play with the strut bolt and some PB-Blaster. If you're using an impact gun, what I would do is to use a open ended box wrench, slide it onto the bolt body and push it to the front of the car while using the impact gun to turn it. This way will creates a pull and twist force on the bolt to get it off the holes. You can also put the nut back on flush to the end of the bolt and hammer the bolt. This way, you're protecting the starting threads on the bolt when you hammer the end of the bolt.
 
hey guys im wondering if my rear end looks like its lower then it use to be ( got like an inch and a half between tires and wheel well on 25 spacers), are my rear shocks going? ( i got 120 000 km on them)
 
That's about 60K miles? It may be. You had some pretty heavy load over the summer camping trip. :smile (2):
Do you feel it rides any diff or leaks? If not, I would ride it a for a bit longer or until I can take the sagging rear looks, lol.
 
It's closer to 80K miles. How do you know when your shocks are going bad? I thank MTNFX for the write up as i will get my cousin to install my H&R's when i get them
 
feels the same kinda. hard to tell since i hardly drive it. not sure if relevant but i feel when i take corners fast, the back end feels still and wants to hop a bit. what would i expect from bad shocks? yea i put alot of load on the back last summer and thats just the beginning of my adventures.
 
I think the consensus around here is that anywhere from 60k to 100k miles is an appropriate time to replace the shocks and struts.

I did it when I was swapping to my H&R's around 75k ish and looking at the shocks they were not in the best condition.

The FX is not like a standard car or anything of that nature because it is big heavy and has a pretty sporty suspension layout and setup. Therefore you can expect to do shocks as a maintenance item, not an item you replace when it breaks.

After 80K on your original shocks, when you replace them now I guarantee you will feel a difference in the ride...
 
You being from Canada, where did you get your shocks/struts from? I am looking online but shipping and importing charges are killing me.

meme405 said:
I think the consensus around here is that anywhere from 60k to 100k miles is an appropriate time to replace the shocks and struts.

I did it when I was swapping to my H&R's around 75k ish and looking at the shocks they were not in the best condition.

The FX is not like a standard car or anything of that nature because it is big heavy and has a pretty sporty suspension layout and setup. Therefore you can expect to do shocks as a maintenance item, not an item you replace when it breaks.

After 80K on your original shocks, when you replace them now I guarantee you will feel a difference in the ride...
Click to expand...
 
The FX is already slightly under damped in the rear stock so that may impact longevity since it's cycling more. Don't know how it impacts the FX specifically, but if you're at 80K, it's probably getting near the end.
 
Im going to change my front and rear shocks in the spring. what else should i buy while i do it to make the install smooth and no surprise issues? ive read about the speed sensor can seize? change the bearings up top?
Note: the fx's suspension and front end is original. anything i should take care of?
 
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