Rear shock Install. Help. What am I doing wrong?

Had to cut the top bolt off my old shock, basically past the point of no return.

The lower mounting point is too extended for the bracket. I've tried compression with my jack but the tiny angle differences always seem to create rotation and imperfect alignment when the bracket and the ball head are at the same level.

I could try raising the jack stands higher, but I'm pretty sure they're at max height.

Thoughts?

 

You can twist shock shaft as well as push it up. Push it up further than you need. It will slowly extend. As it nears the bolt hole, stab a screw driver in the bolt hole to catch the shock shaft.

Now you can wiggle the screw driver around to position the shock shaft correctly and insert the bolt.

 

I know I can compress it but it takes a significant amount of force. Nearly all my 160 lbs of body weight. Compressing it while the top is mounted seems impossible. I've only managed with my jack. Is that the right idea?

 

Push the shock stem back IN.
A big pry bar will help.

 

Jack the truck up by the frame. Then push shock into place.

 

Just push it up, use your arms as if you were gonna bench press it.

Super easy.

 

Assuming you have the correct shock. Are the jack stands are on the frame not the rear axle. The leaf springs should sag down enough to permit installation.

 

According to post #3…..He can’t physically push it in.

 

shocks are correct size that was my first check.

 

OP, go to the gym!

Just raise the truck by the rear diff, set jack stands on the frame, then lower jack (to allow the rear end to droop) and install shock.

I've always just done it by hand as I'd swap rear shocks often.

 

A winch type web strap could be rigged to compress the shock.

 

I put the bottom bolt in and use a ratchet strap to compress the shock. Easy to guide the post into the upper mount as the chock extends.

 

Yeah i always put the bottom in first and then jack up the truck to get as much room to work with (i put the jack on the frame under the passenger door) then i pull the top of the shock down to get it in the top mounting point. Easier to compress by pulling down than pushing that tiny but up.

 

It looks like a pry bar maybe able to work?

 

At full sag

 

Dang, you need more rear flex!

You've got taller bumpstops for your shocks right? Longer shocks have a longer length both extended and collapsed. Don't kill your new shocks on your first outing.

With that said, just try again to push your shocks up yourself. Done it with Bilstein's and Fox shocks, just wear gloves as it can get a little awkward and slippery pushing up on the mount.

 

Ill give the rachet strap and pry bar a go. Thanks for the help. Keep the tips coming. Blood pressure high right now.

 

I always do it by hand too.
I only weigh 145 lbs. OP got 15 lbs on me.

A good pair of gloves and a grunt always worked for me.

 

Right, I didn't wanna come off like that guy but it's really easy and I only weigh 165ish.

 

Me either.
That’s why I said a pry bar would help.
A strategically placed pry bar will pop it in place.
Just have the bolt read to push in, as the mount will want to push it back out.

The trick is, have the bolt read to smack in when the hole lines up.