For U Solution

Sportster shocks are usually 13.5 inches long. Installing shorter shock absorbers will slightly affect the part of motorcycle frame geometry called "trail." Trail is the ratio of the distance from the axle to the ground on the back of the bike and the distance from the center of the steering neck to the ground on the front of the bike. Radical trail is one reason why the most extreme looking custom bikes usually dont handle well. You should be aware of frame geometry if you replace your Sportster shocks with longer or shorter ones. Installing new shocks is a very simple job.

Instructions

1

Remove any accessories, like saddlebags, that limit access to the shock absorbers. Raise the Sportster on a motorcycle jack just high enough so the bike is upright and not leaning left on the support stand.

2

Remove the lower shock mounting screw, washer and nut from the old, right shock absorber. Remove recent Harley shocks with an Allen wrench and older or non-Harley shocks with socket wrench and hex socket. Save the hardware for reuse.

3

Remove the upper shock mounting screw, washer and nut from the old, right shock absorber and save the hardware. Remove the left shock absorber the same way you removed the right one.

4

Paint the mounting screw threads with thread locker and bolt the new shock absorbers to the Sportster using the original hardware. Tighten the mounting bolts to 50 ft.-lbs. of torque with an Allen or hex socket and a torque wrench.

5

Lower and remove the jack. Sit on the bike, bounce up and down and check for binding.

6

Reinstall any accessories.

The 2005 Ford F150 4X4 features four-corner shock suspension. Some higher end models of the F150 manufactured between 2004 to 2008 use a strut assembly in the front, but still use shocks in the rear. The difference between shocks and struts is that the shock is a separate component from the coil spring.

Instructions

1

Apply the parking brake on the 2005 Ford F150 4X4.

2

Access the top of the shock absorber through the front wheel wells. If necessary, start the truck and turn the steering wheel to manipulate the tires for better access to the respective shocks.

3

Place a box end wrench on the upper shock retaining nut. Hold the stem shaft of the shock with a smaller box-end wrench.

4

Hold the stem shaft stationary and turn the upper shock retaining nut counterclockwise. Once the nut has broken free, flip the wrench on the retaining nut over to the open-end side to make the removal of the nut easier. Remove the nut, upper washer and rubber bushing from the stem shaft.

5

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the other front shock.

6

Hoist the front of the F150 up with a jack and support the front axle on jack stands.

7

Hold the lower shock bolt head with a wench while turning the nut on the other side of the bolt counterclockwise with another wrench. If necessary, place the nut back onto the bolt and tap it with a hammer to loosen it up. Remove the bolt and the shock absorber. Repeat for the other front shock.

8

Place the lower washers and rubber bushings on the stem shaft of the replacement shocks.

9

Insert the shock up through the coil spring and align the stem shaft with the upper shock mounting bracket. Hold the shock in place while replacing the lower shock bolt. Compress the shock if necessary so the bottom of the shock will align with the lower shock mounting bracket and the lower bolt hole. Tighten the lower bolt and nut with a wrench and a torque wrench set at 75 foot-pounds.

10

Lower the front axle of the truck back to the ground, using the jack to lift it. Remove the jack stands.

11

Place the upper rubber bushings and upper washers on the stem shaft of each shock. Again, hold the stem shaft stationary with a wrench while tightening up the shock retaining nut with another. Tighten the nut until the washer compresses the upper rubber bushing.

The 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4-wheel drive pickup comes equipped with four shock absorbers. The front shocks are part of a coil spring/shock absorber assembly. Separating the shock absorber from the coil spring requires special tools and is potentially dangerous. It is wise to replace the coil and shock as a single unit to avoid having to disassemble the unit. The rear shocks and coil springs are separate units, and you can replace the shocks without removing the springs.

Instructions

Front Shocks

1

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a lug wrench. Raise the front of the truck and support each front wheel with a jack stand. Remove the lug nuts and both front wheels from the truck.

2

With a socket wrench, remove the nut and bolt from the lower end of the shock, where it attaches to the lower control arm. If the bolt is extremely tight, attach a cheater bar to the socket wrench to gain more mechanical advantage.

3

Remove the three nuts from the top of the shock/coil assembly. These are the nuts around the top edge of the assembly. Do not remove the center nut.

4

Pull the shock/coil assembly down off the vehicle.

5

Place the new shock/coil assembly bolts up into the holes in the mounting bracket and replace the nuts without tightening them.

6

Replace the bolt and nut on the lower end of the shock, where it connects to the lower control arm. Tighten the nut to 101 foot-pounds of torque.

7

Tighten the three upper nuts to 47 foot-pounds of torque. Repeat the procedure on the opposite shock/coil assembly.

8

Replace the wheels and lug nuts. Lower the truck and tighten the lug nuts.

Rear Shocks

9

Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels and raise the rear of the vehicle by placing a floor jack under the rear axle. There should be no weight on either wheel assembly.

10

With a socket wrench, remove the mounting bolt from the upper end of the shock absorber, where it attaches to the frame.

11

Remove the mounting bolt from the lower end of the shock absorber, where it attaches to the spring seat bracket. Pull the old shock off of the truck.

12

Place the new shock absorber into position. Replace the lower mounting bolt and tighten it to 53 foot-pounds of torque.

13

Replace the upper mounting bolt and tighten it to 53 foot-pounds of torque. Follow the same procedure to replace the opposite shock absorber.

14

Replace the rear wheels and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts.

All Harley-Davidson motorcycle shock absorbers fall into one of three categories: Standard, non-adjustable exterior shocks; adjustable exterior shocks and Softail shocks. The stiffness of adjustable shocks may be fine tuned with either a spanner wrench or compressed air. Softail shocks usually are adjusted with a spanner wrench. Non-adjustable shock absorbers must be replaced before you can adjust them. You must elevate the rear wheel to replace your shock absorbers or to adjust the shock absorbers on a Softail.

Instructions

1

Inspect the rear of your motorcycle carefully to look for the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers connect the upper frame of the motorcycle to the swing arm through a hole in the rear fender.

2

Identify whether your shocks are sheathed with springs or are simply interlocked tubes. If you do not see springs, look for an air fitting on the top front of your shock absorber. If you see an air fitting and air line, you have air shocks. If your shock is sheathed in a spring, look for hourglass notches on the bottom of the shock absorber. If you see notches, you have identified your spring adjuster cam and your shocks are mechanically adjustable. If you have adjustable shocks, identify the brand. If you see neither notches or an air valve, your shocks are not adjustable and must be replaced before you can adjust them.

3

Contact the manufacturer of your adjustable shock absorber or the website to determine the specifications for the stiffness of the ride you expect to achieve.

4

Adjust the stiffness of your ride according the manufacturers specifications. Adjust air shocks by elevating your Harley on a motorcycle jack until your rear tire hangs as low as it will go. Locate the air suspension air valve on the left side of your bike. You may need to remove your left saddlebag by immobilizing the nut inside your fender with a box wrench and loosening the bolt inside your saddlebag with a socket wrench Raise or lower the air pressure in your air suspension using an air compressor and air gauge. Never adjust air shocks to less than 10 or more than 35 pounds of pressure.

5

Adjust the rear suspension stiffness of mechanically adjustable shocks using a spanner wrench. Insert the tongs of the spanner wrench into the notches on the spring adjuster cam. Turn the cam counterclockwise to achieve a stiffer ride. Always adjust right and left shocks identically

6

Push down on the rear of your motorcycle If you do not see shock absorbers. If it depresses and bounces back up you own a Softail.

7

Adjust the shocks on the Softail. Remove the right side saddlebag. On some motorcycles, you may also have to remove the exhaust mufflers or muffler using a box wrench or socket.

8

Elevate your Softail on a motorcycle jack until the rear tire hangs as low as it will go. Find the two rear shock absorbers where they join the Softail swing arm. You may need a flashlight. Identify the shock adjuster plate.

9

Loosen the adjuster plate lock nut counterclockwise with a box wrench. Turn the adjuster plate clockwise for a softer ride and counterclockwise for a harder ride. Re-tighten the lock nut.