DIY Shock Absorber Replacement

[LOG]

I have a 2007 Itasca Sunova 26p motorhome with the Workhorse chassis. Do members feel that replacing the shock absorbers is a Do It Yourself project. Thanks.

[Lobstah]

Do yourself a favor and order some Aerokroil online from Kano Labs.
Spray the bolts a few times, like every day, or other day...
Aero is the best penetrant I've ever come across...goes into spaces as small as 2 microns.

After a few days, the bolts will fall off.

Well...almost fall off 😉

Jim

[lfeather]

LOG wrote:
I have a 2007 Itasca Sunova 26p motorhome with the Workhorse chassis. Do members feel that replacing the shock absorbers is a Do It Yourself project. Thanks.

I changed the shocks on the front of my coach with no problem. Access to the rear shocks without removing the wheels looked like a challenge, so I took the mh in and had a shop replace them while they had the back wheels off for another job.

Larry

[hershey]

robatthelake wrote:

hershey wrote:
I'm really taken back by the number of people who indicate that there is a perceived need for an impact wrench to replace the shock absorbers. I replaced mine on a Freightliner chassis with just a simple 1/2" socket set. Ratchet and 14" breaker bar. Not a big job at all.

Sure You can do that ,but a relatively inexpensive Impact Tool makes the job easier and faster!

Most weekend mechanics don't have the huge Craftsman Rollaround toolbox. Most fulltimers don't either. An impact wrench is an obvious advantage to have but I just don't see the need to buy one for such a simple task as removing 4 or 8 bolts or nuts on a single project. If its the upcoming task that puts one over the edge in getting an impact wrench then its an obvious good purchase. You'll use it for other projects too. YMMV....just an ole John Deere mechanic thinking out loud.

[J_Walker]

hershey wrote:
I'm really taken back by the number of people who indicate that there is a perceived need for an impact wrench to replace the shock absorbers. I replaced mine on a Freightliner chassis with just a simple 1/2" socket set. Ratchet and 14" breaker bar. Not a big job at all.

It probably depends on how they were tightened. I tried everything including a breaker bar, no luck. Harbor Freight air impact wrench worked fine.

[robatthelake]

hershey wrote:
I'm really taken back by the number of people who indicate that there is a perceived need for an impact wrench to replace the shock absorbers. I replaced mine on a Freightliner chassis with just a simple 1/2" socket set. Ratchet and 14" breaker bar. Not a big job at all.

Sure You can do that ,but a relatively inexpensive Impact Tool makes the job easier and faster!

[magik235]

I changed the shocks on my Class C with no problems.

[Geocritter]

hershey wrote:
I'm really taken back by the number of people who indicate that there is a perceived need for an impact wrench to replace the shock absorbers. I replaced mine on a Freightliner chassis with just a simple 1/2" socket set. Ratchet and 14" breaker bar. Not a big job at all.

Not all jobs are the same, my RV spent 19 years in New York State the heart of the rust-belt. I had to remove 6 fairly large hardened steel bolts to take the propane tank off for sandblasting and repainting. A simple straightforward job that should have taken me less than a half hour with non-power tools took about one and a half knuckle scrapping banging cursing hours to accomplish simply because of rust (and yes, I slathered all the nuts the day before with penetrating oil). I only wish I could have gotten to the bolts with my air impact wrench. I don't imagine you deal much with rust where you live, but it can make a simple job miserable really fast.
Steve

[hershey]

I'm really taken back by the number of people who indicate that there is a perceived need for an impact wrench to replace the shock absorbers. I replaced mine on a Freightliner chassis with just a simple 1/2" socket set. Ratchet and 14" breaker bar. Not a big job at all.

[robatthelake]

I have both an Air Impact wrench and an Electric Impact Wrench . Either will,work equally well to loosen Shock mounting bolts. Other than wheel Lug Nuts ,I haven't found too many fasteners that these babies can't handle!
There are several sizes of each Impact wrench available, some are not as good as others.

[asphalt_sailor]

I agree, you can likely DIY. Just replaced air bags, shocks and 8 springs on HWH levelers on my KADP. Air tools are mandatory, unless you are an ox. I do my own tires as well. Count on being a little stiff after the experience. Of course I'm 76, maybe that has some effect.....

[Geocritter]

Hi LOG,
I noticed we both live in Austin (actually I just moved to San Marcos). Anyhow, if you'd like a little guidance and the use of a few of my tools I'll help you with it. However, you'd be doing the actual work, unless you want to wait until October and cooler weather.
Steve
PS unlike some people I can be PM'd directly

[sailor_lou]

ALL repairs on an RV are DIY jobs if you are physically able, have good electro-mechanical skills and either have the tools or are willing to buy them. Other than mounting tires I've never had any vehicle/boat in a shop in my life, so it's all up to what you feel you can accomplish. Once completed you'll feel great and will have the satisfaction of knowing it was performed correctly. Good luck with your repair.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[Geocritter]

Replacing shocks is definitely DYI. However, if you don't have air tools it'd be a good idea to have at least a 1/2" drive breaker bar, and maybe a 3' long pipe to use as a "cheater" to break the bolts loose (after they're broken loose it gets much easier). I'm planning on doing my shocks when the weather cools down here in October, of course I've been doing my own service all my life so it's pretty second nature.
Steve

[Dale_Traveling]

Technically it's not hard, physically can be demanding. If you have air tools may only take a few minutes per shock. I'm small enough and can still move around well enough that I did all four in about an hour with air tools.