I tried to install the rear shocks this weekend. The first one came off with a breaker bar and a little muscle on the bottom stud the shock slips onto. I didn't even try the top bolt. I just cut it off with a cut off wheel. The other side was a different story. I put the wrench and breaker bar on the nut for the bottom stud. Even though it appeared to be in good condition I twisted the stud right in two. The stud was a single piece that was part of the "u" bracket that bolted onto the leaf springs. Fortunately the new shock came with a "replacement stud". Unfortunately the only was to use it is to remove the bracket, drill a half inch hole in the 3/8 inch thick bracket to insert the new stud. There is no way to access and drill it while still on the truck unless I pull the entire axle out. I have not started this task. I am worried I will have the same issue removing the bolts to the "u" bracket even though they appear in good condition. If one of them break off this will not be an easy part to locate a replacement for. On the bright side, the first one was easy to replace. You can never count on these old truck to give anything up easy.
Last edited by dgrinnan; 04/25/2016 3:06 PM.
