DIY Shock Replacement

Not sure what type of chassis you have but if it is a Ford Super Duty then I would pay a shop to install the fronts, at least. I replaced the rear shocks on my E-Super Duty when I had that coach, and had a shop do the fronts. It is really difficult to get in there and work on them, especially if they are old, seized or rusty. I had to cut the shaft off with a Sawzall on one rear shock and the shop had to use an air chisel on one front, as it had seized. Also, most shocks come with a strap holding the shock in the compressed position. Be sure not to cut that until you aim the shock at the mount. It is tough to compress the shocks to get them in.

I replaced the original shocks with Bilsteins and 3 yrs later the rears were leaking oil.Replaced under warranty. I did the removal and installation. Not hard with big wrenches! 2 years later the rears were leaking oil again. Took them off and threw them in the trash and ordered Koni's. Took a few days to get them and about 2 hours to install them. Been a happy motorhomer every since. Ride is so much softer with the Koni's
I have a Magnum chassis with 4 airbag suspension. Take your time and you can do it.
Good luck
Busyguy

Don't know till you try. I did 8 on my RV. It was difficult but apparently not impossible. Penetrating oil really does help. As for brand of shocks, that may start a Ford Versus Chevy debate. The Bilsteins for my RV were specifically tested on my Model. They work great and I have always had good success with them.

Don't know till you try. I did 8 on my RV. It was difficult but apparently not impossible. Penetrating oil really does help. As for brand of shocks, that may start a Ford Versus Chevy debate. The Bilsteins for my RV were specifically tested on my Model. They work great and I have always had good success with them.

rjxj wrote:
Its not expensive but if you do it, spray the hardware with penetrating oil first. All of them first and let it work. They will know you mean business.

50/50 Acetone-ATF mix works really well..... Or you can buy the expensive stuff in a can....

All I've ever done was cars, light trucks and Class C motorhomes (cutaway van chassis). If your particular chassis offers better ACCESS than Ford E-Series does, my take is that the work would be easier than on a smaller coach. I'd rather have to apply more torque than work in ridiculously confined spaces. Just take a look. If you can get at the fasteners, go for it.

Its not expensive but if you do it, spray the hardware with penetrating oil first. All of them first and let it work. They will know you mean business.

Not a motorhome but I tried to do my own on my 3500 series truck. Got one done and gave up and had the rest done for me. Just didn't have the access without a lift and big enough tools.

So along with winding garage door springs I leave large vehicle suspension work to the pros

You need big muscles or an impact wrench because they are tight.

I replaced shocks on my MH with Bilsteins and have never regretted it. I also replaced the steering dampner on MH (E-450 chassis). I ordered the parts from e-shocks and had a local shop install them for me. They charged only $25.00 per shock which I thought was very reasonable. Good luck with the changeover.