M1009 Rear Shocks??

[LTWVARNG]

Well I took my M1009 to the Auto Shop on base to put m 2 inch lift on. Everybody I have talked to said it will be really easy. Lifted it up looked underneath and yeah looks pretty simple until I got to the rear shocks........who in their right mind decided to put the bolt on the inside of the frame where you cant get to it without dropping the tank. Has anybody changed these out and have any tips?

 

[Westech]

yeah hit it with some PB blaster and take them off. It helps to let the nut sit aver night after a good soaking. And yes you can get it with out removing the tank.. done over 100 of them.

 

[LTWVARNG]

The nut is on the other side and there is no room to get back there? Its like a pin almost.

 

[Westech]

dude.. I and many other members have done it. It can be done.

 

[LTWVARNG]

dude.. I and many other members have done it. It can be done.

I will give her a try next time I get some free time off flight school. What tool did you use??

 

[joeypushjr1]

dang westech didnt have to put it so like that . a simple how to was all he was asking..

 

[Westech]

with a wrench lol I not trying to be a jerk.. its just a nut and bolt.. yeah its hard to get at but if you try you can do it. I did not use any strange or one of tools.. I used a Matco wrench.

 

[l1a1man]

ok, first itme on a M1009 today I replaced my shocks. I used a 1" socket on a 1/2 drive, an extension and a breaker bar. I slid under the truck on my back and was able to get all the tools in place. Not comfortable for me but i can suffer for 10 minutes.

The pin in the shock started spinning. We used an angle grinder and cut off the shock then punched the rest of the bolt through the frame. I climbed back under and in less than 5 minutes had that shock on. Easy as pie.

 

[LTWVARNG]

ok, first itme on a M1009 today I replaced my shocks. I used a 1" socket on a 1/2 drive, an extension and a breaker bar. I slid under the truck on my back and was able to get all the tools in place. Not comfortable for me but i can suffer for 10 minutes.

The pin in the shock started spinning. We used an angle grinder and cut off the shock then punched the rest of the bolt through the frame. I climbed back under and in less than 5 minutes had that shock on. Easy as pie.

Thats what I was thinking about doing. I'm definitely going to put the nut on the outside this time so if i need to replace them again it wont be a PITA. So you just ground on the pin correct?

 

[l1a1man]

I cut the washer on the outside off. We then pulled the shock off the screw. (completly remove the shock, it will be easier with it out of the way.) At that point we could get underneath the ridge on the shock and cut it off. did a little grinding to remove excess metal and then punched the bolt through towards the tank. Very easy, had the new shock on in minutes.

 

[LTWVARNG]

I will give it a go next time i can get a weekend off!

 

[Mudstone]

when we did my buddy's shocks on his 88 suburban if i recall correctly we jammed a craftsman wrench inside the frame on the nut and then ratcheted off the bolt. took literally 2 minutes and the wrench just locked itself against the frame. i think i'm describing this accurately but i could be wrong. will let you know when i get my new bilsteins in.

 

[l1a1man]

The M1009 stock rears have a nut on the inside of the frame and a flat washer type on the outside of the shock. Nothing to bite on to. While we were ratcheting the nut the entire bolt was spinning in the rubber grommet in the shock head, therfore, anglegrinder came into play. The Ranchos are nice riding now.

 

[Mudstone]

hmm shocks on the suburban are different... have a head on the outside as well. i get what you are saying now. Any reason for rancho over bilstein?

 

[Csm Davis]

remember guys baby steps he is an officer sorry LTWVARNG I just had to!

 

[Mudstone]

any reason to go rancho over bilstein? sorry i just would like someone who's used both. i have only used bilsteins in any of my vehicles

 

[l1a1man]

I have used both. I just like the ride of the Ranchos better. Spec wise I have no clue what the diffrence is.

 

[gasman]

Ranchos have better fluid dampening and rebound valving is better resulting in a firmer ride with less harshness on rebound

 

[Dodgeman1941]

Gasman,

What model Ranchos did you use. I have a loose shock bolt, and it sounds like will all the hastle in might me worth changing shocks while I have it all cut appart.

 

[l1a1man]

I put the RS5000's on. I will be back in a bit with the part numbers. The first ones sent to me were not even close to fitting, I then made a sketch of the originals and mailed it with the wrong shocks back and I finally got the right ones.