Do you own a Chevy truck? We understand how attached you might be to it. So, it is obvious that you will want to take care of it all by yourself without trusting any other person or even professional!
Small repairs and upgrades don’t even need a professional, and if you are an automobile person, you can definitely do it well all by yourself. However, you might be slightly confused or even worried when it comes to installing front or rear shocks on your Chevy truck. While this is a regular process, it can also become tedious if you do not pay attention.
In this article, we shall discuss the process of replacing shocks on a truck and the safety measures you must keep in mind throughout. Let’s start!
Importance of shocks
Even though may know that shocks are crucial in a truck, we would like to expand on it and tell you just how important! Chevy trucks have two types of shocks – front and rear. They both work towards giving you the smoothest possible ride. Without these shocks, you won’t be able to enjoy the journey because it will be very bumpy and every anomaly on the road will hurt you!
Shocks also control the quality of your ride and the braking mechanism. They absorb all the shocks and ensure that you do not feel anything along the way.
Why should you replace the shocks?
Just like everything else, shocks wear off after a point. When this happens, every uneven road will hit your hard. You won’t even be able to brake as smoothly as you were able to. So, when there’s a speed breaker or a bump, you won’t have proper control to go over it easily. The loss of control can be dangerous especially during long journeys because you will be prone to accidents. Moreover, the discomfort can wear you out and frustrate you.
How to Install Front Shocks on a Chevy Truck?
If you have realized that the front shocks on your truck need to be changed, you don’t have to rush to the professional or mechanic for it. You can do it yourself! You just need to keep a few safety measures in mind, and everything will be fine. Now, let’s jump right to the steps:
- The first thing you should do is block the wheels so that the truck does not move at all during the entire process.
- Now, use the appropriate tool to loosen the lug nuts. There is no need to remove them completely.
- If you see a lot of rust, use penetrating oil to make the process easy for you. Rusty shocks make the installation process very frustrating.
- Now is the time to start using the jack. Jack your truck up and use the stands so that the truck supports itself safely. If you think you need more jacks or stands, use them. There is no harm in taking an extra measure of safety.
- Remove the wheels using the tire iron.
- Find the front shock and unbolt it using a wrench and pliers. You will see bolts at the bottom as well. You may need a ratchet and socket to remove these.
- Now, carefully pull the shock. Do it from the bottom end.
- Take the new shock and install it from the lower arm. Tighten the top shock bolt but don’t do it very tightly. It can be loose for now.
- After this, the bottom of the shock can be installed, again from the lower control arm. This time, use the ratchet.
- Use pliers and a wrench to further tighten the top shock bolt as well.
- There you go! Nice and simple.
Note: This is a general process for Chevy cars. Specific models may have different instructions that you need to follow. Use the manual to be sure.
Safety measures to keep in mind
- Wear your safety goggles at all times.
- Wear gloves and face protection as well.
- If you have only one jack, use support stands.
- The owner’s manual usually comes with detailed instructions. Make sure you keep it beside you and follow everything.
- Never do this alone. Always have a partner to help you if required. He or she can be on standby, getting you things that you need when you are under the truck, installing the shocks.
We hope you install the shocks on your Chevy easily now. If you are still worried and unsure, it is best to leave it to the mechanic.
If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to comment and ask! All the best.