2005 F3 shock replace ?s for a newbie
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
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From: Near Raleigh NC
2005 F3 shock replace ?s for a newbie
I got a new shock set to replace a leaking rear passenger side shock. I am assuming these need to be compressed somewhat to remove one? Now, I am guessing the shock needs to be compressed to remove and also compressed somewhat to replace these. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
If you don't want to remove the Upper A control arm, you are correct that the shocks need to he compressed to be removed easily from both front and rear. It is easily accomplished by having a long bar or screwdriver (I used a crowbar) to compress the shock and using long zip ties to keep it compressed to remove, To install, compress the shock, keep it compressed with zip ties, install in place with the bottom bolts in, then cut the zip ties to extend shock into position.
Using zip ties will prevent the need to remove the A arms, thus likely requiring an alignment.
Using zip ties will prevent the need to remove the A arms, thus likely requiring an alignment.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If your OLD shocks are leaking, chances are that they will have little or zero pressure in them.. The new shocks should have plastic retainers on them to keep them compressed. I remove the old shocks and put the new ones in place and then CUT the retainer when I'm ready to guide the shock shaft into place. Works like a charm.
You can recompress them and use coat hanger wire to keep them compressed if necessary. . Its NOT rocket science..
Put your body weight on the new shock to see what it takes to compress them so you know what you are up against. Its NOT a lot of force but, it not easy either. Just gotta know what the new shock has for extend force. Its VERY do able.
You can recompress them and use coat hanger wire to keep them compressed if necessary. . Its NOT rocket science..
Put your body weight on the new shock to see what it takes to compress them so you know what you are up against. Its NOT a lot of force but, it not easy either. Just gotta know what the new shock has for extend force. Its VERY do able.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 611
Likes: 79
From: Fallbrook SanDiego county
If you don't want to remove the Upper A control arm, you are correct that the shocks need to he compressed to be removed easily from both front and rear. It is easily accomplished by having a long bar or screwdriver (I used a crowbar) to compress the shock and using long zip ties to keep it compressed to remove, To install, compress the shock, keep it compressed with zip ties, install in place with the bottom bolts in, then cut the zip ties to extend shock into position.
Using zip ties will prevent the need to remove the A arms, thus likely requiring an alignment.
Using zip ties will prevent the need to remove the A arms, thus likely requiring an alignment.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 72
From: Near Raleigh NC
A update from a newbie now not so new. The RR shock was leaking was zero pressure easy to remove and nasty. LR was still working. Again the big zip ties and crowbar worked to pull down enough to zip tie and then pull down to remove it. I put on brand new pads and rotors, Many thanks to 4SUMERZ.
Bill new AC Delco F3 shocks did NOT have any type of retainers on these and were fully extended in the box. Zip ties work great on new ones to push in and install compressed. You are right not easy but not a lot of force. I did the reverse pull down on the one still working with the zip ties.
Great forum and thanks again the rear on road feels much better control wise. I knew something was not quite right when I hit a bump.
Bill new AC Delco F3 shocks did NOT have any type of retainers on these and were fully extended in the box. Zip ties work great on new ones to push in and install compressed. You are right not easy but not a lot of force. I did the reverse pull down on the one still working with the zip ties.
Great forum and thanks again the rear on road feels much better control wise. I knew something was not quite right when I hit a bump.
