williedub

hey folks, i have a 1992 f150 4x4 with a 302/5.0 i am no mechanic but i do know a little bit of this and that. i like to take things off and put things on and im wondering if my shocks/struts are gonna be that simple as most parts are. i have not had this truck long about 2 weeks and i have not spent alot of time under it, other then trying to figure out how to piece together a new exhaust system which has been a fun project. im nearing completion of my exhaust and ive noticed that what looks like my shocks are rusting thru, to my knowledge thats not a good thing. i do not know alot about shocks and struts so if someone could please give me a brief lession on them? i would be grateful. i know if i go to a shop its gonna be an arm and leg. i like my arms and legs, ive spent alot of money tattooing them so id like to keep them. parts are not terrible exspensive. id like to do it myself if at all possible. what would i need to do a job like this? thanks for any input.

ManSam91

Just unbolt them and bolt the new ones in. Make sure to soak all the bolts with PB Blaster though.

markusfmeyer

Like was stated above, coat with PB blaster first, let soak overnight. Then its just basic tools to take out the bolts, compress the shocks, pull them out, and bolt in the new ones.

ramblinwilly

Front shock advice: When you buy them they will probably come compressed with a plastic tie "thing". Don't remove that plastic tie thing. Get the old shock out first, position the new shock where you want it then cut the plastic thing. If you don't do this they are tough to compress and position at the same time.

88leadsled

Are you just doing the shocks? Or are you gunna do the springs as well?

90_Straight6

Sorry to revive a dead thread but my passenger side shock is busted and spring is almost rusted to the point of breaking. So my question is how easy is it do do springs. Im going to replace both due to the stuff i learned in shop class years ago which is if one side of the car has a bad part, replace the other side. So it is super rusty but if i soak with nut cracker(is pretty much an industrial pbblaster but i have tons of it) and let is sit overnight, is this something i can do in a day if i have the parts? What is involved in changing the springs? Thanks.

Alpinemk2

I just unbolted the shock then the spring. The spring isn't under any pressure when you have the wheel off the ground. Its a very easy job to do.

tailgatefisher

Not hard at all. Unbolt the shock so the spring can fully release pressure as you raise the truck. un bolt it and place the new on, then reverse of taking it off. Average handy person can do it I guess. More than once for myself.

Just remember, the second side seems alot easier.

tony888

just did a 96 front and back. the lower fr. and back bolts and nuts are 18mm which is a little odd as most metric sets go m15,17,19. buy a 18mm socket or wrench. i just cut off the front upper nut with a die grinder. lot easier than fighting a 9/16 nut with a 1/2 inch of rusted thread. good luck, Tony

90_Straight6

Thanks guys makes it seem alot clearer. So will I need to unbolt the shock before I lift it?