2002 Z66 - how hard is a shock job?

[Allen42]

I need/want to replace my shocks, probably all the way around.

I'm fairly skilled with a wrench, but dont have any specialized tools (compressors, etc.)

Are shocks something the do-it-yourselfer can handle?  Anything to watch for?

I've read good things abut Monroe Reflexes.  Other brand recommendations?

Any advice about this endeaver would be nice.

 

[grnxnam]

its a DIY job.  air tools would help, but not necessary. 

dont forget... if you go with a different type of shock, you'll lose your load leveling ability that the Z66 has.

its just 2 bolts on each shock.  its harder to remove the tires than the shock.

 

[spetch]

I did the whole job without even taking the wheels off.  I just jacked up the truck and unbolted them, inserted the new ones, bolted them in, and lowered the jack.  I torque wrench is good if you care about getting them torqued down to specification, but you can also just crank till it hurts.

 

[grnxnam]

I did the whole job without even taking the wheels off.? I just jacked up the truck and unbolted them, inserted the new ones, bolted them in, and lowered the jack.? I torque wrench is good if you care about getting them torqued down to specification, but you can also just crank till it hurts.

proper torque is tighten til it snaps, then back it off 1/4 turn.


thought about adding the wheels didn't need to come off, but it was a pita when we did my rear shocks with the wheels still on.

 

[Allen42]

dont forget... if you go with a different type of shock, you'll lose your load leveling ability that the Z66 has.

Forgive my ignorance... is this an automatic thing?  I don't have a "load leveler" button on the dash.  (j/k)

I assume this is a propery of the shock?  Should I just buy dealer oem shocks?  What does "load leveling" do for me anyway?

 

[grnxnam]

Forgive my ignorance... is this an automatic thing?? I don't have a "load leveler" button on the dash.? (j/k)

I assume this is a propery of the shock?? Should I just buy dealer oem shocks?? What does "load leveling" do for me anyway?

its the shock, nothing else assists it.  its a mechanical leveling that takes place in the shock itself.  buyong OEM will cost a lot.  seems like they run close to $350 each. 

if you tow/haul loads, the shock will allow the rear of the Av to keep the stock height instead of sagging in the rear.

 

[Allen42]

And no one has made aftermarket load-leveling shocks?

I assume these are only on the rears?  So what if I just did the fronts?

Or am I worrying too much since I haven't towed anything up to this point?  I do sometimes load up a completely full back end with firewood/ scuba gear, etc.

So maybe just doing the Reflexes all the way around?

Suggestions?

 

[grnxnam]

as for recommending a good shock, I may be the wrong person to be asking.  Mine is not a normal set up. 

 

[Dune Coon]

how many miles you got?

I know the stock shocks last for a very long time.

 

[Allen42]

65K

Stuttering dogs.... the visual had me laughing out loud!

 

[Hugz]

recently replaced my fronts at 114K..  Pass front was leaking..  Left the rears as they work pretty darn good.. That and didnt want to loose the load leveling ability since we put so much craop in there for GTGs... 
Used KYB monomaxs without a huge problem..  And no they are not too hard to replace...

Hugz

 

[davidw55]

Allen, also keep in mind you might not have noticed because you won't notice it working while the AV is not moving, once you're going down the road for a while they start to do their thing.