changing rear shocks. Question???

[srkpaco]

I have a 2004 LC with 88K on it. I changed out the front shocks myself a few month ago and it was a breeze. The rear ones need to be changed is it as simple as the front or is there anything I need to know before starting?

Thanks

 

[Layonnn]

You can either drill a hole through the body under the cargo area to gain access, buy a flex head ratchet wrench, or use a standard box wrench and curse a lot. I did the latter for the first shock, then bought the flex head wrench.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Go look at what you're dealing with first, where the shocks mount, and then search, plenty of good threads on the two method's Layon talked about.

 

[srkpaco]

So it sounds like it is not as easy as changing the front ones?

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

No, getting to the hardware on the top of the shock is a PITA. With the right tools it isn't that bad though Every time I go in the garage, look at the rears that I have been procrastinating installing for a year now.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Depends on your approach, tools, and skill.

 

[Anthony.L]

and then search, plenty of good threads on the two method's Layon talked about.

srkpaco doesn't understand and/or believe in the concept of searching....we are here to inform him directly.

 

[srkpaco]

Anthony, I was just talking shop with my fellow LC owners, I thought that is what this site is for. Heck with the internet you can search and find the answer to any and all question, I just like talking about things before I do them.

All is well.

 

[no-pistons]

I didnt think it was hard at all. I just removed the spare tire to give me a little more room. I picked up a knock off gear wrench off ebay, and held the shock body with a pipe wrench.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Anthony, I was just talking shop with my fellow LC owners, I thought that is what this site is for. Heck with the internet you can search and find the answer to any and all question, I just like talking about things before I do them.

All is well.

However, this thread, x100, begins to bog the forum down with repeated questions when the answer is a simple search away. Not saying every new thread has to be some mind blowing hard core install, but there's some fundamental things that get rehashed multiple times, that's why there's search and why there's a FAQ.

 

[Anthony.L]

 

[srkpaco]

Got it.

 

[Gottagetone]

^ Its an easy job, if you want some local help let me know...It takes about 10 minutes per side.

 

[Layonnn]

^ Its an easy job, if you want some local help let me know...It takes about 10 minutes per side.

With the right tool. With the wrong tool it takes gorilla grip strength and a lot of patience haha.

 

[hks3sgte]

Just don't read Anthony's thread.

 

[Anthony.L]

What, what did I say?

 

[Gottagetone]

With the right tool. With the wrong tool it takes gorilla grip strength and a lot of patience haha.

I tried it that way and it about killed me! Drilled the holes and felt stupid for not doing it that way in the first place.

 

[srkpaco]

Anthony and Trunk Monkey I have searched and read some of the answers to this question but need some clearification so don't get all angry.

Is the right tool a flex head ratchet or is it better to use a open ended gear wrench?

I don't want to jack up my LC and pull everything off just to look at it before I get started, would like to just do it once when I change the rear shocks.

 

[Anthony.L]

Anthony and Trunk Monkey I have searched and read some of the answers to this question but need some clearification so don't get all angry.

Is the right tool a flex head ratchet or is it better to use a open ended gear wrench?

I don't want to jack up my LC and pull everything off just to look at it before I get started, would like to just do it once when I change the rear shocks.

I found this thread with a Google search in less than 5 seconds.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...shock-upper-nuts-anyone-use-nut-splitter.html

Scroll down to Post #35 where RobRed posted a picture of the tools required for replacing the rear shocks. You will see the flex head Gear Wrench in the picture which is the key to the process unless you want to drill holes in the body.

Here is the wrench on Amazon for $30 which is pretty well priced, they are not cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-9922-Flex-Head-Combination-Ratcheting/dp/B000HBF68I/?tag=ihco-20

I hope that was helpful.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Also from that post you can see I did mine with a normal 22mm wrench, just wedged it in there and rotated the shock body to remove it instead of undoing the nut.