I have a pair of bilstiens on the way and Im wondering what the quick and dirty is for removing/installing the front shocks?

 

Two people and small hands. LOL

I have helped replace them without removing anything else. The passenger side was hard to get to the upper bolts and remove the cap. But it can be done. Once you get the top caps off nothing to it. Some will tell you to remove the wheel well lining to make it easier.

 

I just did mine recently. The hardest part is getting the shock towers off through all the stuff in the way. Just keep the new shocks compressed until after you put the shock mounts back on. I had to pull my DS battery off too because the top nut was stuck on and I could not get it to come off....

 

Mine were siezed on the tops and wouldnt come off I had to remove the towers from the truck and cut them off

 

so I can be done without removing the springs? great thats what I wanted to hear

 

Even if your doing a lift and remove coils, you have to put the coils in then the stocks. You don't have to remove anything. It is a bit of work to get them in and out, but not to bad.

 

yea I know that
but I didnt know that they could be removed through the top shock tower or if the spring had to be dropped and then the shock removed out the side of the spring bucket

 

I didn't remove the battery or inner fender or anything, just the towers which I could undo easily from the engine compartment or inside the wheel well (I did my spacers at the same time so had the wheels off)
I bolted in the bottom of the shock then put the tower on with the bolts loose. I got my son to cut the retaining strap around the shock from underneath and as it expanded guided it into position into the tower (if that helps).

BTW, you asked a vague question, Mocho trying to help you!

 

Yea no worries, I just figured if you asked that maybe you weren't sure. I always found it easier to get rid of the straps first. Lower the shock in full length, put the bottom bolt and top in, then push down on the top with the tower attached. Never had any problem compressing it. But there are so many different ways to do it and all work fine.

 

My top shock nuts were rusted in place also, so removed drvrs side bat. and the tower came out easy. My bisteins fronts had no straps, but compressed nice and steady for ease of assembly.

 

thanks guys. shocks should be here by thursday. ill let ya know how it goes

 

just wanted to say thanks for the input. got the shocks swapped in.
I just unbolted the bottom of the shock and then unbolted the top shock mount and pulled both the shock and mount out of the truck. then bolted the new shock to the mount and reinserted the shock/mount in to its proper place.
piece of cake