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Can you replace shocks yourself?
If you need to replace your car’s shock absorbers but don’t want to pay an expensive mechanic’s fee, you can do so on your own with a little effort. Shocks are essential to a car’s performance, giving it a smooth and even ride.
Which way does a shock absorber go?
Are shock absorbers easy to replace?
The good news is, some repairs are easy to do at home. Like replacing shocks and struts. It’s not a job that you should attempt if you’re not familiar working with vehicles, but with a little training and experience, you’ll be ready to tackle the job.
How long does it take to fit shock absorbers?
How long does shock absorber replacement take? We’ve taken a look at some average times across the industry. Whether you’re replacing the front pair or the rear, the time taken is about the same—averaging between 1.5 and 4 hours.
Can you change shocks without a jack?
You can definitely do it. I just had my shocks rebuilt and watched him remove and install the rear ones without taking off the wheels.
Are struts and shocks the same thing?
However, shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
Does it matter which way a shock goes?
If you have a boot, it doesn’t generally matter unless the manufacturer says otherwise. Imagine this OME upside down. It would fill with s*** immediately and it would fail super fast. But these can’t be mounted upside down either, but that’s probably solely because of the mountings/bushings.
Can you mount shocks upside down?
No. With the exception of a few specialty shocks, you should never mount your shock absorbers upside down. Typical twin-tube shocks are simply not designed to function upside down for many important reasons.
Can rear shocks be installed upside down?
Ultimately: don’t mount shocks upside down just because it looks cool. Sometimes a shock must be mounted upside down due to space limitations, or to protect the shock body, if this is the case, make sure you use a shock designed to be mounted upside down.
What is the average lifespan of a shock absorber?
According to the website Basic Car Repair, “shock absorber life depends primarily on the roads over which you drive.” They might fail almost immediately, at say 5,000 miles, or might last well into the 60,000 to 80,000 mile range. The average manufacturer suggested replacement time is between 20,000 and 30,000 miles.
What else can replace shocks?
Getting Your Shocks & Struts Replaced Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (front axle or rear axle), and it’s even better to replace the shocks/struts on all four wheels at one time. This helps maintain reliable handling and a consistent response on both sides of the vehicle.
Should I replace all 4 shocks at the same time?
Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four, for even, predictable handling and control. Remember, too, that whenever the struts are replaced, it becomes important to check the alignment, as it may have changed, to protect your vehicle tires and assure maximum safety.
Can you drive a car with a broken shock absorber?
The short answer is no – you should not drive a car with broken suspension. Regardless of whether it’s a broken coil spring or a broken shock absorber, you cannot drive a vehicle which has any element of the suspension that is broken.
Are shock absorbers sold in pairs?
They’re sold individually. Make sure if you’re buying both you pay attention to if your vehicle uses different right and left part numbers. Some vehicles use the same assembly on both sides but some have different units per side.
Do shocks come with bolts?
The front shocks come with a full set of new bolts so you can toss out all the old front ones.. The rear shocks come with the bolts for the “top” of the shock. IE the ones you are asking about You will have to reuse the bolt that attaches the shock to the axle.
Should I replace front and rear shocks at the same time?
As long as you replace both fronts or both rears at the same time, you’ll be fine. If you replace just one or three shocks, then you’ll notice a huge performance drop. Your handling and control will be significantly worse, and your vehicle will be more dangerous to drive.
Can I drive a truck without rear shocks?
Yes you can drive a vehicle provided it has a Solid Rear Axle and is a Rear Wheel Drive without Shocks. Just don’t expect a comfortable ride and your Braking will be severely reduced. You’ll also destroy your Springs and your Tires.
