E350 Shock Replacement

[crs5357]

On a 1990 Ford E350, what tips might a DIYer need to replace the
shocks, front and rear? What brand/model shocks are preferred?

[ModMech]

The factory units are very good. Typically last for 8 years, and are very competatively priced.

The front shocks are not too bad, a wrench on the top nut and vice-grip on the piston should do it nicely. The rear is more of a challenge, the top nuts can be a real pain to reach, just get your self situated comfortabally and turn them off.

I also suggest soaking them with oil a few days in advance to ease removal. This assumes you don't live in the salt belt. If you do, I'd advise you to have them done, as they will likely have to be torched off.

[crs5357]

Originally Posted by ModMech

The factory units are very good. Typically last for 8 years, and are very competatively priced.

The front shocks are not too bad, a wrench on the top nut and vice-grip on the piston should do it nicely. The rear is more of a challenge, the top nuts can be a real pain to reach, just get your self situated comfortabally and turn them off.

I also suggest soaking them with oil a few days in advance to ease removal. This assumes you don't live in the salt belt. If you do, I'd advise you to have them done, as they will likely have to be torched off.

I assume that there is no spring compression issues like there are on
struts. Is jacking the vehicle up necessary to compress the shock
for either removal or installation?

Are there any torque specs to be heeded? Safety issues? Thanks!

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From my haynes repair manual for 1992-2001 E350:

Torque specifications: Shock absorber to radius arm nut 50-68 ft-lbs. Shock absorber upper nut 25-35 ft-lbs.

These are the instructions for replacement. remove wheels (sorry to state the obvious). Support front of vehicle on jack stands. Block rear wheels and place in park. Support outer end of axle with a floor jack. Remove the top nut with a deep socket while holding the shaft with an open end wrench. Lift off the insulator. Remove the nut securing shock absorber to the radius arm. To remove shock absorber, slightly compress the shock and remove it from its brackets. Installation is reverse of removal.

Good luck. I'm about to do the same myself in day or so. Wondering if Ford parts are as good as other after-market ones.

[jonster]

Is it really possible to remove the front shocks?? I can't even get to the upper nut, much less get a socket on it. I know this is an old post, but I need some fresh help. Thanks.

[dhardison]

Originally Posted by jonster

Is it really possible to remove the front shocks?? I can't even get to the upper nut, much less get a socket on it. I know this is an old post, but I need some fresh help. Thanks.

Any luck with your front shocks? I tried removing my E-350 front shocks today without much luck. That top nut is tough to access.

Dan

[jonster]

Originally Posted by dhardison

Any luck with your front shocks? I tried removing my E-350 front shocks today without much luck. That top nut is tough to access.

Dan

Yes, I finally got it off. I got a wrench in from the back side and could get about 5-10 degrees at a time. It took over an hour for each one.

For the replacements it was a shorter bolt, so it went much smoother.