Very helpful. I'm about to tackle this myself. On the lower bolt, I just need to wrench it out through the hole in the lower bracket, right? How is the nut held in place on the back? Welded on? I was looking at it and was wondering how the heck I was going to get a wrench on the nut to hold it in place while I backed the bolt out.

 

Yes. the nut is welded in place. A socket and extension (or deep socket) through the hole in front and you are good to go.

 

Good thread.
Fox Racing Shox has specs for stock/leveled and lifted Dodges.
I am running them on my 2007 MegaCab Dually, they work very nice.
Check them out if you get a chance.

 

Bump

I just bumped a stickied thread I blame allergy meds.

 

Um OK... We'll go with "Allergy" meds!!

 

rockcrawler304 - Thanks, Great instructions.

 

First I want to say great write up. I have been looking for one and this is the only one I have come across that was any good.

I am having a problem getting my bottom bolt off. The nut on the back side is just spinning and I cant seem to get a wrench in there to grab it. Would anyone have any suggestions on how to get this @#$^ bolt off? I am at wits end right about now!

 

Any way to get a welder nozzle or stick in there to tack that bolt back down?

 

Good Idea. I didn't think of that. I don't have a welder myself but I might be able to round up a buddy to maybe tack it back on if I had to. It is pretty tight quarters in there, I wasn't even able to get a socket in there to hold it. You would think that they would make an access hole in the back just as the front in case something like this happens!

 

I have a mig welder. I can look tomorrow to see if this is possible. If it is I will do it and try to get some pictures to add to the thread!

 

Thank you so much Rockcrawler! I look forward to hearing/seeing your results. You rock!

 

Update:

I was able to work a socket into the back where the captive nut was and hold it with a magnet while clicking in an extension through the small access hole. Then I put a socket wrench on the bolt and used a breaker bar with a piece of 3/4" pipe to break the nut free and back it out.

I picked up two new captive nuts from Dodge to replace the old ones. I'm just assuming i'll need the other one. I'd rather have it and not need it.

It took forever to do but I finally got the old shock out and the new one in. On to the otherside tomorrow. . .

Thanks for the suggestions all.

 

Okay does anyone have a solution of how to break lose a bottom front shock bolt? I hit with my impact, pretty decent one, with no luck. Sprayed the crap out of it with penetrating oil and tried a breaker bar, no luck again. Finally grabbed my big torque wrench and that MFer broke. I'd really hate to take it to a shop and pay someone for this simple task. I'm at my witts end and can't break it lose. Should I try heat next?

 

Did you try putting a galvanized pipe extension on the handle of your breaker bar? It might give you that leverage you need. Some PB blaster and a little heat never hurts either.

 

Yep put a cheater on the breaker bar. It's the passenger side too so all the linkages are in the way. Maybe I'll heat it a little and pull the tire off to make more room.