Upgrading Shocks

willfxp · August 31, 2003

Can I replace shocks myself? Or do I need some special tools or skills?

I asked my friend who is rebuilding his T/A and he said I should bring it in. I asked the shop how much and he said I could do them myself (they only install their own shocks).

I'm at a toss up... I would rather have them professionally installed since it seems pretty critical for safety reasons... But it would be nice to save $65 for labor.

Thanks!

BadBowtie · August 31, 2003

The only tools you will need are a 1/2" drive ratchet, 18mm socket, 18mm open or box-end wrench, and I think you will need a 13mm socket and wrench for the top bolts on the rears. The one thing that I can way, is that air tools make this job much easier, but it is very easy to do without them. If your truck has seen and salty-snowy winters, plan on buying new bolts....they will break.

Good luck!

willfxp · August 31, 2003

The only tools you will need are a 1/2" drive ratchet, 18mm socket, 18mm open or box-end wrench, and I think you will need a 13mm socket and wrench for the top bolts on the rears. The one thing that I can way, is that air tools make this job much easier, but it is very easy to do without them. If your truck has seen and salty-snowy winters, plan on buying new bolts....they will break.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. I don't know why I didn't RTFM first. Anyways, after reading your post and RTFM, and getting a little dirty, looks like I can do it.

However, do I need to jack up the truck? I don't know what kind of pressure the shocks are in. The manual says to. But I don't have a jack. I would need to bring my truck to my dad's place.

Now I hope I am strong enough to do this...

Thanks,

willfxp · August 31, 2003

Question that I never thought about before...

Which brand shock does GM put on the '01 Z71? For the new ones, chevy.com says 46mm shocks. How do those compare to Bilsteins? Wondering if I should even replace them at all. It would be $260 + tools (I don't have many tools. Starting my collection).

I ask because I found this on Bilstein's Web Site:

Working with General Motors, Bilstein was chosen as an option for the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette and the Chevy S-10 four-wheel drive truck models. This association with GM has blossomed into a program that now finds Bilstein shocks used as standard equipment or options on numerous models of General Motor vehicles in three separate GM Divisions.

Thanks.

BadBowtie · September 1, 2003

I know many of the Z71's of the OBS had Bil's and I would assume that the newer ones do as well.

I didnt jack mine up, there shouldn't be so much spring assist taht you can't handle them. I'm not even sure if the stock shocks are even gas charged at all? Does anyone know?

willfxp · September 2, 2003

I know many of the Z71's of the OBS had Bil's and I would assume that the newer ones do as well.

I didnt jack mine up, there shouldn't be so much spring assist taht you can't handle them. I'm not even sure if the stock shocks are even gas charged at all? Does anyone know?

What's "OBS"?

If they are Bilstein's, would they be the same ones that I will be putting on? Or would Bilstein make a lower quality shock for OEMs?

I thought all shocks were gas charged.

I did look at mine, and there is a warning that says "Gas pressured. Do not puncture", or something like that.

kaspar139 · September 2, 2003

The 2001 trucks don't have Bilsteins. Mine had some red shock, AC Delco maybe? Anyway, I wanted to change mine before I lifted it,a nd everwhere said jack it up before you take them off.

99silveradoz71 · September 2, 2003

I did mine last fall with no problems and I'm not mechanically inclined at all. The rears were done with the truck on the ground, and the fronts with the truck lifted and tires off to make it a lot easier. Just be sure you have a set of vicegrips to hold the stud on the front shocks.

willfxp · September 3, 2003

I did mine last fall with no problems and I'm not mechanically inclined at all. The rears were done with the truck on the ground, and the fronts with the truck lifted and tires off to make it a lot easier. Just be sure you have a set of vicegrips to hold the stud on the front shocks.

Which stud are you referring to? The one on the top or the bottom of the shock?

Thanks,

BadBowtie · September 3, 2003

OBS=Old Body Style, sorry.

The stud he is referring to is the one on the top of the shock, the one that extends through the shock tower.

I wasn't sure if they were Bilsteins or not, I know they are red/black, but wasnt sure if it was a custom cladding for the new GM trucks?

willfxp · September 3, 2003

OBS=Old Body Style, sorry.

The stud he is referring to is the one on the top of the shock, the one that extends through the shock tower.

I wasn't sure if they were Bilsteins or not, I know they are red/black, but wasnt sure if it was a custom cladding for the new GM trucks?

Shock tower? I thought those were on cars... Or maybe strut tower... Whatever is on top of the wheel well...

Well, since I'm still not sure what you guys are talking about, I took pictures. Sorry, they are a little big.

Thanks!

99silveradoz71 · September 3, 2003

The stud is the top of the front shock- it's a somewhat thin metal piece, the rear shocks are setup for bolts to go through them on each end, while the front only has this on the bottom.

Red/black shocks are the Tenneco's at least on the 99 and so trucks. That's what mine came with.

willfxp · September 3, 2003

The stud is the top of the front shock- it's a somewhat thin metal piece, the rear shocks are setup for bolts to go through them on each end, while the front only has this on the bottom.

Red/black shocks are the Tenneco's at least on the 99 and so trucks. That's what mine came with.

Ok, maybe I'm not understanding the use of the vice grip. I'm new to this Sorry. I'll figure it out when I actually do it

How good are Tenneco's for off-roading? Bilstein's a significant upgrade?

Thanks!

kylant · September 3, 2003

the stud has two nuts on it. one on top of the frame, and the other below the frame. Hold on to the bottom one with the vise grips or an open end wrench while you loosen the top one. if you don't hold on to it, the shock stem will just spin.

you don't need to jack the truck up. the stock junk shocks compress with little effort. the new bilsteins might be a challange since they have quite abit more pressure.

I have changed the shock on my truck twice now with out jacking it up. It is really not hard at all. you can do it!! don't psyche your self out

willfxp · September 7, 2003

the stud has two nuts on it. one on top of the frame, and the other below the frame. Hold on to the bottom one with the vise grips or an open end wrench while you loosen the top one. if you don't hold on to it, the shock stem will just spin.

Ah!!! I didn't know about the nut on the bottom. That makes more sense.

Sorry I didn't look closer. Should have taken off the wheel.

Thanks!