Safety First

Double Check Product

Shock Absorbers

Tools

• Nut splitter

• Eye protection

• Wrenches

• Vise grips

• Screwdriver

• Pliers

• A can of penetrating oil

• Socket set

• Use a nut splitter to remove rusted bolts if penetrating oil won't free them. A nut splitter helps avoid damaging stud threads -- or worse, stud breakage.

• If using a hoist, floor jack or jack stands, do not hang the rear wheels on vehicles with coil springs. The axle must be supported to prevent strain on brake lines and keep springs in the proper position.

Before Installing Shocks

• Read any instructions that come with new units you are going to install.

• Check the mounting parts supplied with the new unit to make sure you have everything you need.

• Hold the shock in a vertical position and pump it up and down several times to "prime" it.

Removing Front Shocks

• Hold the upper stem of the shock so it does not turn. Then, remove the upper stem retaining nut, retainer and rubber cushion.
  NOTE: On units without dirt shields, the stem end is machined to allow you to hold the stem when removing the nut.

• With the vehicle raised, remove the bolts which hold the lower shock pivot to the lower control arm. On some vehicles, the shock is pulled from the bottom. On others it is removed from the top.

Removing Rear Shocks

• Raise the vehicle and support the rear axle.

• Disconnect upper mounting first. Then, lower mountings.

Installing Rear Shocks

• Connect upper mountings.

• Check clearance at brake lines, fuel lines and exhaust system, both on and off the hoist.

Installing Front Shocks

• Place the inner retainer and inner cushion on stem. Then, insert shock up through the lower control arm. Place upper cushion, outer retainer and nut on shock absorber upper stem. Position and install lower mounting bolts to control arm.

• When installing a shock that's larger than the shock being replaced, you may need to slightly enlarge the hole in the lower control arm to install the new unit.

Installation Do's and Don't

• Tighten connections securely, but do not over tighten. If rubber bushings bulge outside washer, then the connection has been over tightened.

• Obtain new replacement parts.

• Do not grip the polished piston rod with any tool during replacement procedures.

Check Your Installation

• Check clearances with the vehicle on the ground. Check that tire pressure is to manufacturer specifications.

Struts

Tools

• A safe and suitable manual, portable air, bench or wall-mounted spring compressor is needed to compress and remove the coil spring.*NOTE

• A spanner wrench is needed to remove and replace locking rings on replaceable cartridge units.

• A siphon is used to remove strut fluid from housing during on-vehicle cartridge replacement.

• A torque wrench is needed to tighten connections to vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Before lnstallng Struts

• Road test vehicle before and after strut installation or repair.

• Select the right Monroe® strut or cartridge for the vehicle you are repairing. Vehicle manufacturers are continually refining strut specifications, so check application data -- including build date.

• Some vehicles require realignment after strut repair or replacement. Check vehicle manual for details.

• The upper bearing plate, the sheet metal next to it, and the lower camber bolts may need to be scribed to prevent alignment problems during reassembly.

• Always refer to the installation instructions furnished with your replacement parts before doing a strut job.

Strut Cartridge Do's and Don'ts

• In most cases, discard old locking rings from the strut housing. Install the new locking ring supplied with the new cartridge.

• After discarding the old cartridge, check inside the strut housing for contaminants.

• If the brake line has been removed during repair, bleed the brake line to purge the system when the job is done.

Sealed Units Do's and Don'ts

• During installation, do not touch the drive axle rubber boot as it is easily damaged.

• Never bottom the coil spring when compressing the spring. Use minimal force needed to do the job. Make sure components are properly aligned before releasing the spring tension, and rod nut is torqued properly to specifications.

• * Read all equipment manufacturer's instructions BEFORE beginning any automotive repair work, for safe operation of equipment.