Hey ya'll! It's been a while since anything of note has been done to the Burb. I've been adjusting to live as a diabetic and for someone who loves him some bread and pizza is a kick in the gut.
This weekend I drank the Bilstein Kool Aid sugar free, and installed a set of 5100s and Moog coils.
Installation was pretty straight forward and while time consuming without power tools not something that would cause a new shade tree mechanic any stress.
I put the burb in 4lo, set the parking brake, chocked the wheels and jacked up each side individually placing jack stands under the frame with the rear wheels elevated. I then took off each rear wheel using a 22mm socket and breaker bar for the lug nuts. The rear shock boots are 21 mm. Using this interior trim tool I removed a few clips from the inner fender to help with access to the upper shock bolt.
Here is one of the clips. You can use a screwdriver but that tends to make a mess of the clips. Interior trim tools are really cheap and super handy to have.
A squirt of penetrating oil help make quick work of the shock bolts. Considering this truck s first sold in Brooklyn and then lived in Maryland for a decade before coming to Virginia I'll consider myself lucky.
I also disconnected the sway bar links using an 18mm wrench and socket. At this point the driver side coil all but fell out! Easy peezy!
The passenger side had a hang up. You'll notice the parking brake cable will hold the axle up just enough to keep the coil from dropping out. I used a 13mm socket to release that bracket and remove the coil.
Installation of the new shocks and could is the opposite of removal.
Put your floor jack under the center section of the axle. Place both coils and isolaters in there proper position. Jack up the axle just enough to hold them in making sure they seat on their perches properly.
Install shocks. You'll have to fenagle them in. Mine came with straps that keep them from expanding. You cut those off after they're in. I can't stand this rubber boots that come on shocks. I always cut those off. You may not agree but it's how I choose to do it.
Once the shocks are in I reinstall the sway bar link bolts and parking brake hanger.
I jacked up the rear until The truck almost gets light on the stands and then tighten everything down. Replace the clips on the inner fender, put your wheels back on and put your truck on the ground. Your rear is done!
