Forum Discussion

jimlcnm's avatar
jimlcnm
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013

Shock Absorber Removal/Reinstall

2002 Holiday Rambler 28RKD
Need help removing/reinstalling shock absorbers…set up is : 2 axle trailer with a shock and leaf spring per axle. Each shock has a 2” (approx.) stud at each end. I’ve tried raising trailer with the jack placed under rear leaf spring mount, which is attached to the frame. After doing so, the lower shock stud still needs about a quarter inch of travel to clear the mounting bracket for shock removal. Then I placed the jack under the leaf spring mount that is located between the two axles. Again, the lower stud doesn’t clear the mounting bracket. By the way, I did cut out the shock mounting rubber bushings and removed all mounting nuts at top and bottom of the shock studs before attempting this procedure.
If anyone has experience doing this job and can help a fellow FifthWheeler, I’d greatly appreciate your response. I’ve searched for links to videos on the procedure but had no luck. Again, if anyone knows of a link to a video on the procedure, I would appreciate you sharing that as well. Take care and happy trails!
  • boogie_4wheel's avatar
    boogie_4wheel
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    So the shock has a vertical stud on each end and the shock needs to be compressed to remove it?

    I would think that you could grab the shock at the top (around the hollow guard) with your hands and hang on it to compress the shock, it will slowly compress. When you get the upper stud free of the hole move the shock to the side and take it out. All this could be done with jacking the trailer.

    You could lift 1 tire on the trailer to help remove the shock on the other axle (lift the front tire with a jack under the spring perch where the leaf pack attaches to the axle, the rear axle will droop and result in less compression required of the shock for removal).
  • john_bet's avatar
    john_bet
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2013
    How about jacking only on the frame to take the weight off of the suspension?
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Sep 12, 2013
    bigmurf wrote:
    Cut the end of the stud off.


    This should not be necessary!

    If the stud is only 2" long, you should be able to compress the shock enough to get it out.
    Have you checked t see if you can get the new ones in??
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2013
    If you are lifting by the frame, try prying down on the spring. It should move a bit and allow the end of the shock to come out.

    B.O.
  • deleted-2's avatar
    deleted-2
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    If possible can you use a small ratcheting cargo strap to compress the shock?

    Just hook over each end and start cranking if there's room to do so.
  • Rvpapa's avatar
    Rvpapa
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    Simplest way is to follow direction in third paragraph of Boogie 4Wheels answer.
    Art.
  • Veebyes's avatar
    Veebyes
    Explorer II
    Sep 13, 2013
    LOL. A simple job is rarely simple to do. I am in the middle of doing that very same job with the very same type of shocks.

    My biggest headaches are rust on the threads & inacessabilty of getting the ratchet ring spanner on the nuts. Getting the old off takes longer than all the other steps combined. Did the left side today. Planning on doing the right side tomorrow.

    Basically it is remove wheel, get the nuts off shock, lower the spring, assuming you used a bottle jack under the spring, compress the shock, get one end out. The rest is easy. Install new shock, jack up spring so that wheel can be re installed.

    What mystifies me is that the Monroe shocks supplied came with only one nut per shock. Where are the other 3 (2 as lock nuts)?

    With the help of Murphy expect at least a few hours work each side, getting the rusty old ones off being the biggest battle.

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