Ok, Ive heard many times how the front shocks are hardest to replace but in my opinion the rear are always the worst. Right now Im in a perdicament as you can see by the pic.

The shock extended before i could get it mounted to the lower mounting bracket. How am I supposed compress the shock to align it with the hole? Any ideas? suggestions? .

Thanks

 

You can't just grab it and compress it? That's what I've always done.

 

just crawl underneath and push it up with your hands. its not that hard. if thats too hard for ya use the jack in the pic

 

The Bilsteins are tough to compress. Put your jack under the shock and jack it up. Use a drift punch or heavy screwdriver once you get it close to hold in position until you get the bolt thru.

 

bilsteins are pretty hard to compress, we had a really fun time to do it on my 03 when i lowered it 3"....

Try lifting the truck (by the frame) until the wheels are just barely off the ground that way the shock is just about all the way extended when it needs to go in. Or lift from pumkin and then support by frame if you have a short lift jack.

Also just barely start threading the top mounts, like maybe 2 turns down from start, then you have about an inch of play at the top of the shock too.
-Patrick

 

Ok, I finally decided to use the jack and compress it. Once i got there i use a couple screwdrivers as leverage to get the hole lined up.

My problem now, has anyone had anytroubles bolting on the top. The shaft spins with the nut im ratcheting. How am I supposed to tighten when the shaft spins with the nut??? I have seen nothing on the shaft to counter the force it takes to drive the nut.

This is insane. shocks are easy to do and I cant figure out why these stupid little things happen.

Thanks for the help.

 

you probably cant see it but right at the top under the bushings is a hex type shape like a nut. you can put a wrench on it to hold it from spinning. might be under the boot a little bit.

 

It just came to me. I was wondering why earlier today why there was an allen head insert on the top of the shock shaft. Light switch. Thanks for the help.