Replacing front shocks with Bilsteins

Had a local tire shop install the front shocks today. They had a whopper of a time taking 2 1/2 hours for $50. Hope they are tight!

pnichols wrote:
Do Bilstein shocks carry a lifetime warranty?

Yes, but only for the original purchaser, as in not transferable to subsequent owners. This is pretty much an industry standard. (http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/searchservice/warranty/)

:C

Do Bilstein shocks carry a lifetime warranty?

^^^Glad to see you up and typing!

On our E450, I "can" get the box end of a combination wrench up past the fender liner and onto the top nut. Then turn the hex at the top of the shock piston. BUT only a few degrees at a time, so here's my radical hack:

Unlike those easy Chevies, Ford E-series springs don't require a compressor to remove and install. They simply tip out of their pockets once the little clip at the top comes off. I'm not sure if one end of the shock has to be off first, but the plan is:

Jack coach and support at FRAME

Remove Front Wheels

Place Floor Jack under outboard (brake) end of Axle

Remove LOWER Shock Mount (remove Nut/Washer than pry inward)

Remove Spring Retainer (10mm screw)

Lower Axle to drop Spring out

Put wrench on top of Shock Rod, remove Shock using Hex on Rod in Spring Pocket area. No Spring allows plenty of throw on open end wrench.

Note: Unless you can drop both axles (two floor jacks) then you might have to disconnect one Sway Bar link.

This is only a couple extra steps but it gets the spring out of the way of the hex on the shock rod. I noticed how hanging the shock by the top before putting the spring back made for easy wrenching while replacing the whole front axle last year.

Chevy installs are easy , Fords well that's another story ;)

R/F easy l/f a bitc-- hard to get to top nut

DAS26miles wrote:
I like Bilsteins. Bought on sale online and saved a bundle.

X2

Recently replaced all four of the original shocks at 34,000 miles on our E-350 with a set of the heavy duty model Bilsteins. I bought them from shock Warehouse for $396 (no tax or freight). could not be more pleased with the improved ride/performance. I'm sure Koni's are just as good but a lot more money.

As for the installation I watched a couple of guys that were bigger, stronger than I and had experience doing shock installs and they worked their butt's off doing the install. Yes, the fronts were a lot more work than the rear's. For me it was well worth the money, ($267), to have them professionally installed.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

I like Bilsteins. Bought on sale online and saved a bundle.

Off topic ... but why wouldn't you use Koni FSD shocks in the front? I have mixed shocks on our rig right now.

Is labor to install shocks pricey? When I had my rear shocks replaced this past summer the laber charge was all rolled into the main bill which included other work. Labor for the front shocks would of course be more.