Installing Old Man Emu lift on 2001 Montero Sport XLS 4WD.

Is there a special trick to the rear shocks, getting them off?

Yeah yeah yeah...total NOO-B question, I just don't wanna lay into the bolts and break something.

I assume the easiest way to get the rear coils to drop out is to remove sway bar, undo shocks, then jack up one side of the axle to push the other side down further, then pry the spring out if it won't drop all the way out. (I don't like spring compressors, besides there is hardly enough room to work with a compressor in there)

Thanks in advance all!

answered all my questions myself.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

The shock bolts were just REALLY REALLY tight, had to use a 5' breaker bar to get them undone.

The Montero Sport is SUPER SUPER easy to lift in the rear!!

remove shocks, remove sway bar end links, and the rear axle just about falls off.

The springs slide right out and the new springs slide right back in.

The only really PITA part is the driver side shock, the top bolt is next to impossible!!

I took it to midas and they tightened the top bolt on the driver side for FREE! Super cool!

The trick and I would have thought about it had I any patience....use a LONG LONG extension with a swivel socket, like an 18"+ extension. Then just go above the axle and drive shaft across to the driver side shock bolt and tighten away!

The Montero Sport handles WAY better, doesn't bottom out any more, I LOVE IT!

Also kinda cool that my 265/75R16 tires look small in the wheel wells now!

Let's see a pic, maybe before and after?

ya know, I wish I had a before pic, but I don't...since it's the wife's vehicle, I had to do LOTS of things around the house to even TOUCH her vehicle...sheesh, been doin' laundry, vacuuming, EVERYTHING for the last two months. It was our "deal."

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I can go take a picture of one that looks EXACTLY like mine and say it's mine, and compare it to what it is now. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

After I got the tires off and started, I forgot to get the "before measurement" too. But, I'll make a trip over to the local dealership and get the stock measurement.

I'll get some pics up soon.