DIY shocks replacement difficulty
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DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/25/2008 6:09:04 PM
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skybum02
Posts: 7
Joined: 3/13/2007
Status: offline
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How difficult / easy is it to replace my front and rear shocks? The local mechanic wants to charge 2.5x (parts and labor) what it would cost me to buy new shocks off of shockwareshouse.
I have an 02 Blazer LS 4x4 4.3L 115k mi. I have the OE shocks on it now and figured it is time to replace them. I drive on the crappy Nor Cal roads between San Fran and Tahoe and the ride is getting rough.
I'm thinking about replacing the OE shocks with Monroe Reflex or KYB Gasajust (Opinions on which is better for a smooth ride and control? I don't go off-road too often but I do drive in the snow).
Basically is it worth my time to save $250? I have access to tools and a lift at my Air Force Base's Auto Hobby Shop and the mechanics in there are helpful.
Thanks,
Steve
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/25/2008 6:48:46 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 15304
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
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With a decent socket set, breaker bar, some extensions, and some wrenches, you should be able to do it in an afternoon.
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My Restoration Projects
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/25/2008 9:35:13 PM
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lennyblazer
Posts: 1988
Joined: 5/6/2007
From: Appleton, WI / Houghton, MI
Status: offline
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Yeah it took me and my dad about 2 hours to replace the front and rear shocks. We have had experience lifting the blazer in the air before so that took hardly anytime. Just make sure you spray some PB blaster on the bolts before you do it and they will come out a lot nicer. I think I spent about $250-$260 on shocks (went with the Edlebrock IAS shocks from shockwarehouse) and saved probably about $400 installing them myself. My dad also got shocks from shockwarehouse.com, they are a great place to buy from and they ship fast with quality products. Good luck.
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-Lenny
4.3L Auto. 3.73Gears
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358267
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/25/2008 10:44:14 PM
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98BlazerLT4x4
Posts: 33
Joined: 3/1/2008
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The bolts are 18mm fyi. To put the fronts in I found the easiest way was compressing the shock and shoving it in between the upper control arm and frame. What brand shocks u using?
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/26/2008 7:21:26 AM
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portcqb
Posts: 410
Joined: 3/13/2008
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Yah the rears are slightly harder but the fronts go real quick. I just put Monroe Sesnatraks on the front took like an hour. I also greased all front end parts while I had the wheels off. Bolts arent torqued a ton and they dont rust or at least mine werent at all. A little WD-40 will help on the upper nuts since you dont have a whole lot of room to ratchet the wrench. Also to allow you to get the shocks out depending on how worn they are once you get them unbolted put some zip ties together and feed them through both shock eyes and tighten them as you compress it. For my truck had to compress the drivers side more than the passanger side. I just made a how to for the fronts http://www.blazerforum.com/m_147122/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#147122
< Message edited by portcqb -- 3/26/2008 8:21:56 AM >
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1997 Olds Bravada AWD 4.3L Auto ~35,100mi(high idle time), CAI, Quad Beam Moded Mod
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/26/2008 10:30:28 AM
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lennyblazer
Posts: 1988
Joined: 5/6/2007
From: Appleton, WI / Houghton, MI
Status: offline
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The front isnt too bad. They took me longer to put the new ones in since I got larger bore shocks so they were tight fitting between the upper control arms (Edlebrock IAS shocks were used). Otherwise they go pretty quick. On the rear it is easier if you drop the spare down (then you can clean it and make sure its inflated properly and looks to be in good shape) then you have more room to work under the truck with. I just sat where the spare was and then got a bunch of socket extensions and got the top bolts easily. Then had my dad hold a wrench on the outside bolt at the bottom while I worked the inside bolt. The rears took me about an hour or just under, while the fronts took me about an hour on one side and 40 mins on the other side.
Also I have never heard of the website (http://www.4wheelonline.com/Categories.aspx?Categoryid=23), if you are going to buy shocks online, I would just go with shockwarehouse.com or 4wheelparts.com or summitracing.com Just my opinion. The shockwarehouse has a 5% discount to blazer forum members (all you do is enter in the code FIVE and you get 5% off orders greater than like $100 (which for all 4 shocks is going to happen)). Good luck on the replacement of your shocks.
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-Lenny
4.3L Auto. 3.73Gears
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358267
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/26/2008 11:52:22 AM
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skybum02
Posts: 7
Joined: 3/13/2007
Status: offline
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Thanks for the tips and encouragement, I think I'll give it a go. I'll take picts and notes as I go along and share that info with the group.
I still haven't decided between the KYB and Monroe.
< Message edited by skybum02 -- 3/26/2008 12:09:57 PM >
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/26/2008 12:14:25 PM
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portcqb
Posts: 410
Joined: 3/13/2008
Status: offline
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Well the decision will most likely be dependent on price. I got a pair of Monroe Sensatraks for my front at 40 each.
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1997 Olds Bravada AWD 4.3L Auto ~35,100mi(high idle time), CAI, Quad Beam Moded Mod
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 3/26/2008 12:30:54 PM
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JohnL
Posts: 7
Joined: 3/25/2008
Status: offline
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Didn't mean no offense or step on any sponsors toes if I did. Those sites look good and the 5% off sounds better.
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1986 S10 Blazer 4x4
2.8 engine
Automatic
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RE: DIY shocks replacement difficulty - 1/8/2009 5:20:39 PM
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zoey
Posts: 1
Joined: 1/8/2009
Status: offline
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Does anyone know any tricks for getting to the upper bolts of the rear shocks on a 2-door 85 s-10 blazer? There is a concave indent which the shock bolts into, and it is too narrow to get a socket wrench into (even with an extension). There is not enough clearance between the body of the truck and the top of the bolts to get anything other than a flat wrench up on the other side of the indent. There is a metal piece on side of the wheel well, so taking off the tire doesnt help much. People have mentioned removing the spare tire to get more space, but thats where the gas tank is on mine. (I have the 20 gal tahoe package tank). Basically there isnt enough room to use anything other than flat/open wrenches, and only enough room to turn them about 1/8 turn before having to move the wrench. The front shocks were cake. The rear involved 3 hours of attempting to remove said upper bolts, and only getting one of them (plus really bruised up knuckles). Any advice or tricks would be appreciated.
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