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 Post subject: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 5:18 pm 
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Finally got around to changing the front shocks in my Liberty and came up with a trick that I thought others might want to use:

The hardest part for me was maneuvering the "strut" off the axle and out after it is loose. There is just enough room to do that on the passenger side with some forcing (and cursing :roll:), but the drivers side axle is shorter and the LCA won't flex down as much. I scratched my head for a while wondering how to get it out when it dawned on me, use the VW strut spreader tool.

https://www.idparts.com/metalnerd-strut ... p-400.html

VW golfs and jettas have a strut which is held in at the bottom with a similar split collar and clamping bolt. This tool has an oval end, you fit it into the slot the narrow way and turn 90 deg and it spreads the collar. Well I have one from my old VWs, so I tried it on the fork at the bottom of the Lib's shock assembly. Worked perfectly. A tap or two and the fork slid off the old shock, and it was easy to maneuver the fork and shock out separately. Used it again to reassemble on the new shock, worked perfectly there too.

Wish I had thought of this when I was doing the passenger side, would have saved some time.

Thought folks might want to know about this trick. Even if you don't have one of these lying around it might be well worth it for the time it saves on this job.

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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:28 pm 
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I always just used a 1/4" flat tip screw driver,does the same thing.


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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:37 pm 
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Thats what they make BIG pry bars for! :ROTFL:

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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 10:04 pm 
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WWDiesel wrote:
Thats what they make BIG pry bars for! :ROTFL:

Makes it harder.

Just insert 1/4" flat tip in groove,twist and pull down clevis.Takes like 2 seconds.


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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 11:45 pm 
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OK, OK, so sounds like a 1/4" flat screwdriver will do the same. If you don't have that tools sitting around it would be the way to go.

But since I had it rattling around in my tool drawer, I put it to good use. Seems like I may have re-invented the wheel :wink:

Either way, folks should pop that fork off while the strut is still in the wheel well, saves a bunch of time.

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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 11:55 pm 
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I'm getting ready to change my front springs so this is a timely tip. That clevis can be a pain.

Thanks.

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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:37 am 
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Removing the clevis before removing the strut is the easiest way! :D

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05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited :JEEPIN:
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount

98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve


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 Post subject: Re: A trick for changing the front shocks
PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:28 pm 
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I stick a piece of steel in the gap between the threaded and non thread bolt holes. I then thread the bolt through in reverse and it pushes the collar open and holds it there. Not futzing with a pry bar or any of that crap.

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