I am trying to put on new KYB's in the front of my 89 monty. because the OEM shocks have dust covers (and so do my replacements), getting the old ones out is a real problem. the only way I see to do it is compress the shocks all the way so they can be taken out, same for putting in the new shocks. does anyone have a good way to compress the shock while it's on the vehicle? I tried zipties and muscle power but the ties kept breaking before I could get it all the way compressed. I'd appreciate any help/advice you guys could give, especially if you have done this before.

Thanks.

Jack the front end and support with jackstands under the front cross member. Remove the wheels. Remove the upper shock nut (don't let the shaft turn - wrench holding on the top flats). Remove the two lower shock mounting bolts. If necessary, pry up on the lower part of the shock to remove inward.

To compress the new ones - tie a loop in one end of a piece of wire... about 10 gauge or single strand lamp cord (with insulation on it)... loop that around the lower shock mount.... assemble the metal washer and first rubber washer on the top shaft... hold the shock against your abdomen, put the shaft against a solid wall or work bench and lean into it to compress the shock.... hold your weight on it and bring the free end of the wire up and loop it around the shaft between the metal washer and the rubber one, bringing the end back down and tie a couple of half hitches in it to hold the shock in the compressed position. Insert the shock from below, loosely install the upper rubber washer, steel washer and nut.... loosen the wire and guide the lower mount into position. Remove the wire (spray silicone may help). Insert the lower bolts and tighten them. Hold the upper shaft with a wrench while you tighten the nut (don't let the shaft turn). Tighten the upper nut until the rubber washers compress to the point that the compression bulge of the rubber washers is almost even with the outside edge of the metal washers - or until the nut bottoms.... whichever comes first.

Reinstall the wheel(s) and put the truck back on the ground - you're done.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Frank, KYB's don't play that game. Those shocks take serious He-Man power to compress. I had to put my 235 lbs on top of it against concrete floor ( with shop rag and the nug on to protect threads ) and use coat hanger wire <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />

Once I had it in place I sniped the wire. Use a small peice of rubber tubing to protect the threads and to make sure it finds the whole in the top arm. Once it's loose it a real bear to compress so make sure it's all lined up.

Wear eye protection <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Believe it or not, you can get more pressure by pushing it horizontally and leaning your weight into it than by trying to push down.... sorta like anything else you can get some leg power into - football blocking and tackling comes to mind. I have monotube Bilsteins and I think the pressure at 360psi is higher than the KYBs at 280psi. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

KYB Gas-A-Just

Bilstein 5100

You and I are about the same weight and I can't push mine against the garage floor either - but I CAN compress them horizontally against the workbench support by using my weight, arms and legs.

I'm not saying it's child's play but that's the way I do it. Maybe we oughta have a shock compressing contest?

Frank

You could brobably use a hakhsaw on the shaft to get the old ones out

To take the old ones out well that was no problem. They were so old they easily collapsed by hand.

For the new ones I tied some really srong cord around both ends of my new shock. Then took a wrench towards the middle of the cord and twisted the salck out of the cord. Kind of dangerous if it had gotten away from me.

OK, some good points, thanks. that's basically the stuff I have been doing but my problem is getting the old ones out. I guess I will have to cut off the top shaft to make it easier. the old shocks have a hell of a lot of pressure considering their age.

I'm sure there is a shock compression tool somewhere, call your local part store that has loaner tools <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

When I replaced the original KYB shocks, they still had some pressure. Here's what I did.

• Jack up one side. Place the jack under the lower control arm. This should compress the shock.
• Remove the wheel.
• Wrap some wire around the top and bottom of the shock. Tighten the wire by hand.
• Remove the nut on the upper shock mount.
• Place another jack or jack stand under the frame, near where the lower control arm attaches.
• Lower the first jack. This will allow the load to get caught by the frame. The lower control arm will go down and the shock will drop out of the upper mount.
• Remove the lower bolts.
• Remove the shock.

That'll work! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Have the KYBs you guys have gotten come compressed and banded with that plastic strapping? Like the stuff that is used for palletizing? Mine did. Put the top in, cut the strap, and guide the bottom into place.