I need new rear shocks on my 01 SCrew. 2wd no level or lift. Being a 16 year old boy who was told if I got a truck I was responsible for minor work I'm on a tight budget for shocks. I've been looking at the gabrial guardians from autozone for $20.99 anyone had these and can have some input. Or would there be better shocks for alittle more? Thanks guys

 

I would step up to at least the pro guards @ $25.99 each.

 

Take a look at shockwarehouse.com and look at KYB shocks, been using them for years.

 

Beware the upper bolt is a bear to get at. The easy way is a rip saw with a 12 inch metal blade. Cut that bolt off. Start with the top bolt. Support the axle so the shock isnt compressing the bushing..

 

I've heard about the upper bolt putting up a good fight on just about everyone I've read. Unfortunaty I have no way to cut it. And a socket wrench seems like it would be a hassle aswell. Do you think an old school wrench would be better? And when I get the shocks I've noticed that there are 2 silver discs and a black rubber **** I guess. Do you put them on the top on either side of the frame? I looked at my stock ones and it seems like that's what you do. I'm new to this but it seems pretty easy

 

When I was 16 my $20 Hayne's manual was my best friend. It will walk you through all the small jobs like this

 

Better than nothin I suppose, - when starting out.

 

The first time I did my truck I did it the hard way. Small wrench holds the stud shaft and you work the bolt loose. PITA. Borrow a rip saw. Or.. Pay someone to do it. Mienke will do them for under $75 worth ever cent.

 

I have a mini hack saw I bought at Ace Hardware for under $5. It's not the world's fastest but it fits in a lot of tight spaces. I bought it to cut the inlet and outlet pipes off the back of my heater core rather than wrestle with and break the clips under the firewall, and has come in handy many times since. The bolt in question is hardened steel so will be a beast to cut with any tool, but patience (and a mallet and chisel half way through) gets the job done. Personally, I always make sure it is impossible with a wrench before cutting...you'de be surprised what PB Blaster and a cheater bar can do.

 

Stick a small vice grip on the shock end and borrow someone's ratcheting wrench for the top nut.

As for the Gabriel shocks you mentioned, they're about as mediocre as you can get for shocks, but they're cheap, and they get the job done.

I got lucky and broke mine.

 

That's what usually happens..a blessing really.

 

This kid is from Texas, so I bet that bolt is perfectly fine. Nothing on my suspensions is (other than surface) rusted, and I've had most of my front end apart, without any major issues. Even though my truck is a little newer, my coilovers came right out.

At least attempt it yourself with what you have before you go spending money on things you may not even need.

 

Yea, it's a nut and if it's going to break, it breaks when your attempting to loosen the nut. Nothing you can do about it, you can't get any heat close to it. You can try penetrating oil, let it soak or whatnot, but that's about it.

This is the top nut on the rear shocks.

 

Yea, I was so relieved when the bolt let go. I heard *DINK* and my fist hit the fender well. It meant I didn't have to struggle with a ratchet turning 2 clicks at a time.