Shock Change how hard is it?

[SigSaurP229]

I am fairly mechanically inclined I do all of my maintenance myself. I have changed alternators, starters thermostats, I have done clutches, cv joints, tie rods, all of my brake changes, and more. I just don't do major overhauls never torn into the engine itself. Last time I needed suspension work (different vehicle) I took it to a shop and had new struts put on the front. (cost me $750) and that was almost ten years ago. Soo my question is this.

I need new shocks put on my truck it looks like a fairly simple job. It is creaking and popping going over bumps and I can feel a Major loss in handling, and my ride quality has gone to crap. If you push down on the truck the shocks rebound two or three times before stopping the truck.

This truck has been off roaded mildly to somewhat majorly at times.
I have also on several occasions towed +/- 3000 lbs with the truck

Its a 2003 Nisssan Frontier XE 4wd

It is also creaking and popping everytime I let off clutch or give gas the truck will bounce once creak and then smooth out. (U Joints have no play at all).

Soo my question is do I need to take this into the shop to have the shocks changed I have heard that changing shocks can be dangerous?

Seems to me that you just put a compression tool on the shock to keep it compressed and slowly let the compression out of the shock or keep the top of the shock bolted while unbolting the bottom and sliding the bottom out so the shock can't come off of the truck while it lets the compression out of itself? (Is this procedure correct)?

Also I am on a VERY strict budget right now and the truck really isn't being off roaded anymore it has no lift to it at all. All though it seems as if I am towing with it once or twice a month. I am assuming because I am going to have to settle with a lower quality shock I am going to have to do this job again in a year or so.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...&model=Frontier&vi=1417339&pt=C0077&ppt=C0035

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...n&model=Frontier&vi=1417339&pt=C0077&ppt=C003

Will these be ok for a year or so? Will I lose towing or payload capacity if I put these on the truck? Will my ride improve? The thing rides and handles like crap now it is Nose diving when I hit the brakes as well. So I am going to do front and rears.

There is no movement of the tire from side to side that I can detect in the ball joints. None of the grease fittings are busted in the Ball Joints either.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Unless the shock bushings are shot, I would look at other suspension problems for the popping noise. Changing shocks is easy, not even in the same category at changing struts. All the shocks I've changed, I have been able to compress the shock by hand to remove/install. just be careful not to get your fingers pinched as nitrogen charged shocks do have a good amount of force. If you are quick you can bolt the top, clip the wire and insert the bottom bolt as it's slowly extending.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

I am thinking the bushings are shot.

 

[Autotech]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Not real sure but some of those have torsion bar suspension that might cause some of the noise you are hearing. But if you can push the front end down and cycles more than 1and 1/2 times shocks are gone too.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

I would spend a little more money on gas shocks ,theyll help w ocassional towing,and last longer in my opinion.I think you can adjust the torsion bars if they are weak/sagging.you can on some torsion bar suspentions.My S10 improved well w gas shocks in the rear . no more bouncing when hiting bumps, valleys or rough asphault, towing my boat.firmer ride though at first.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Changing shock absorbers is easy.
But the noises you are hearing are probably not your shocks. More like lower ball joints. Which are not easy.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

I have done ball joints and changed a control arm before the ball joints still look good though. Not busted or torn or anything. Haven't looked at the torsion bar that could be it. Additionally the back rear drivers side corner is not sitting level with the rest of the truck (about a half inch lower). That seems to be where the majority of the noise is coming from.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

I have done ball joints and changed a control arm before the ball joints still look good though. Not busted or torn or anything. Haven't looked at the torsion bar that could be it. Additionally the back rear drivers side corner is not sitting level with the rest of the truck (about a half inch lower). That seems to be where the majority of the noise is coming from.

Check the coil spring

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

I just replace front and rear on a '98 pathfinder, took about 8 hrs (including about 2 hrs of shopping time) and $210 (tax etc) for shocks and $10 compressor from Harbor Freight. I already had a metric socket set and wrench set, you'll want to have a good size breaker bar also.

For the rear shocks it will probably take you more time to jack up the truck than it will to replace the shocks.

The front shocks is where you'll encounter the danger, but just like anything else if you are careful and mindful of what you are doing it is perfectly safe to change the shocks yourself. Just spend a little while searching the internet, sometimes you can find step by step with pictures. Good Luck

 

[mommicked]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Pretty sure the 03 trucks have leaf springs in the rear,you may have a broken spring in the leaf pack.that would cause noise and sagging and should be replaced in pairs if its broke.may find some cheaper than new factory ones @ a salvage yard or an aftermarket set.alot are made for toyota trucks but Im not sure about nissans.If its broken you should be able to see the crack from the side of the leaf pack or stack.probably near or over the axle.the Ubolts will hold it together after its broke but the rest will brake soon because of the added stress from the broken one.or it could be a busted spring bushing ,In the end of the spring, but I doubt it would sag that far because of that.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Your going to need a jack under your rear diff and under your control arms before you pull shocks out.....setting bad in one corner is usually a spring problem..if so in pairs when replaced.....shocks check for oil leakage and the bounce test

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it? Update rear shocks on

Re: Shock Change how hard is it? Update rear shocks on

Will be doing the front shocks on monday call me crazy but I didn't even jack the truck up to do the rears. (It sits high enough that I can easily fit underneath.

The front shocks don't look much harder will have to jack the truck up for those though, I don't believe the problem is the shocks. After listening to everyone here I am going to go ahead and do the UJoints too

The popping only happens when I accelerate or when I left off of the clutch to go. Doesn't happen when applying brakes all though the truck is wanting to nose dive a little. (that problem is SIGNIFICANTLY better with the new rear shocks on), will probably be eliminated all together when I get the fronts put on. The U-Joints are only $14 each seems like cheap insurance if nothing else. I may tear into the ball joints if the new u joints and front shocks don't fix the problem. All four ball joints Upper and Lower both sides front look good no tears in the dust covers). I will try and see if the wheels wiggle back and forth before doing any ball joints, (they are a serious PITA and expensive). The back rear shocks seemed pretty worn one side I collapsed with my hand and it got stuck and wouldn't reexpand.

Monday is going to be an ambitious day because I am going to try and do both front shocks and both Ujoints. I am also hearing what sounds to be an exhaust rattle once again only when accelerating hopefully I can get this mess straightened out. I only have another 11 years to drive this truck for better or worse. (I swore that I would drive this truck for 15 years before I got another vehicle and she is almost paid for). I bought her used in 2006 and other than maintenance I have not had to make the first repair (arguabley shocks are maintenance and U Joints are maintenance).

Hear she is having a little fun.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Sigsaur,If you didnt wash the undercarraige well(almost impossible to get everything,but try after every trip when in the mud or silt ,sand)youll get all kinds of rapid wear and problems from brakes,suspen,bushings,anything that moves under the truck.Ive spent $20 on my 84 toyo at the carwash and crawled on the wet conc to wash under it and still find dirt and mud all over the place afterward.I like to take it out whenever it rains really hard and fly through large puddles to help wash it some more!!

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it? Update rear shocks on

Re: Shock Change how hard is it? Update rear shocks on

The popping only happens when I accelerate or when I left off of the clutch to go. Doesn't happen when applying brakes all though the truck is wanting to nose dive a little.

In addition to U-joints, have you looked at your transmission and engine mounts? That symptom you describe is very indicative of a loose/broken rear transmission mount.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Thats something I am debating as well. I am not seeing any that are broken but I am just gonna have to crawl back under again.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Shock Change how hard is it?

Shocks can be dangerous ir you have coil springs. I dont know about your set up.. The shock keeps the lower part of the A frame? from going all the way down So if you had the front end hanging and you unbolted the shock The spring can then expand like a sum bch. Sending the lower suspension down with much force. Causing pain upon your body if u r in the way.
If you wanna check motor mounts [ Its hard to see if thier broken , if the truck is just sittn there. and you climb under ] open the hood so yu can see the engine. start er up... Hold the brake down hard with your foot, put it in drive and start giving it gas if the mount is broken the engine will jump up Youll know if its broken. Otherwise it will just rock a little bit. Then put it in reverse and do it again that will check the other mount. All engines are mounted different but u can tell alot with this method. usually you have 2 motor mounts and a tranny mount.. I FORGOT TO MENTION BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!I appologize that i havnt read all your responses so If my info is outdated or non applicable Im sorry