Changing shocks DIY??
Thread Starter
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Changing shocks DIY??
Has anyone tried this using jack stands and wheels off ?how much of a PITA would this job be?? I have a air compressor and tools in my garage. Thanks 
Thread Starter
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
yea i saw that thread when i did a search, your correct there wasn't to much of a consensus on it so i though i would post using a different title to see if there was anyone hiding in the closet 
.
I guess not to many peeps do this themselves, i will have to pull a tire and see what it looks like.
.I guess not to many peeps do this themselves, i will have to pull a tire and see what it looks like.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Rob 99
Has anyone tried this using jack stands and wheels off ?how much of a PITA would this job be?? I have a air compressor and tools in my garage. Thanks
The only semi difficult thing is compressing the shock while taking it out and putting it in. You can use the nylon tie method, but if you have strength, you can compress by hand. I managed to do all of my shocks in less than an hour and a half with VERY basic toolset (2 socket wrenches I believe).
Use 1 jackstand, and do only one wheel at a time. There's no reason that you should do all 4 at the same time and have the vette in the air.
You don't have to remove the A-Arm or anything if you compress the shock while installing and removing. I can't find the very detailed DIY install doc that I used, but here's a really good one:
C5Forum DIY Shock Install
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 1
From: Keep Me Working...Buy A Ford!
Changed out mine last summer for a pair of Z06 shocks. C5 Forum .com has complete instructions on removal and installation. One thing to make the job easier is to zip tie the shocks in the compressed position for installation, then cut 'em loose.
Thread Starter
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Autoworker, vectorz, thanks for the replys, I'll check out those links, from both your experience it dosn't seem like a tough job.
I think im going to jack up one side once, and change that side, and then jack up the other side and do those two.
I will be selling the 04' Z06 shocks that i just had put on a couple months ago, they ride much to stiff along with the tunnel stiffining plate its a jarring ride
I think im going to jack up one side once, and change that side, and then jack up the other side and do those two.
I will be selling the 04' Z06 shocks that i just had put on a couple months ago, they ride much to stiff along with the tunnel stiffining plate its a jarring ride
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
Yes, it's a DIY job with basic tools and skills.
The most difficult parts are removing the lower rear shock mount bolt and Compressing both the front and rear shocks so you can remove them from the car. I used a small pry bar in the rear to raise the lower mounting point high enough to clear the mount. In the front I just compressed them by hand and removed. But, it did take some strength. And if your shocks are new '04 shocks they will be quite stiff and probably require a pry bar to compress them enough to get them out.
For the new shocks installation. I used one plastic tie wrap looped through the lower mounting hole. That was joined to a piece of thin wire that I looped over the top of the shock after the shock was compressed. Once the shock was in the car; I simply cut the plastic tie wrap and unhooked the piece of wire. Shock expanded and fit perfect.
HTH
The most difficult parts are removing the lower rear shock mount bolt and Compressing both the front and rear shocks so you can remove them from the car. I used a small pry bar in the rear to raise the lower mounting point high enough to clear the mount. In the front I just compressed them by hand and removed. But, it did take some strength. And if your shocks are new '04 shocks they will be quite stiff and probably require a pry bar to compress them enough to get them out.
For the new shocks installation. I used one plastic tie wrap looped through the lower mounting hole. That was joined to a piece of thin wire that I looped over the top of the shock after the shock was compressed. Once the shock was in the car; I simply cut the plastic tie wrap and unhooked the piece of wire. Shock expanded and fit perfect.
HTH
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Ambler PA
Shock install
I followed this set of instructions and had no problems.
http://www.crossedflags.com/communit...pic.php?t=5189
http://www.crossedflags.com/communit...pic.php?t=5189
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Defiance OH
Originally Posted by Kexec
I followed this set of instructions and had no problems.
http://www.crossedflags.com/communit...pic.php?t=5189
http://www.crossedflags.com/communit...pic.php?t=5189
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
Just finished replacing mine with 2004 Z06 shocks. Very easy, didn't need to use a pry bar or compress the shocks. Take your time it's simple, the fronts will take a bit longer than the rears. you dont need to remove the coolant reservior or the windshield washer reservior, use a 1/4" open end to hold the top stud/pin when you remove the top nut on the fronts. Worked for me.
