Repair And Fix it

Shocks should be replaced on your Jeep Grand Cherokee every 75,000 miles to maintain a high quality ride. Shocks mount from the frame of the vehicle to the axle and absorb any bumps from the road. Shocks work in parallel with springs to soften the ride and performance. Shocks are filled with nitrogen and are specific to each vehicle. Faulty shocks can lead to premature tire wear, rough ride and poor handling.

Instructions

Front Shock Replacement

1

Loosen the lug nuts of one of the front tires with a lug nut wrench. Place a jack under the axle of your Jeep and lift the vehicle enough to remove the tire. Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire from the axle.

2

Open the hood and locate the upper shock bolts inside the engine compartment. These are on each side of the engine on the fender wells. Remove the nut with a 14 mm socket and a ratchet.

3

Remove the nut from the bolt that secures the shock to the mounting bracket on the axle with a ratchet and socket. Pull the bolt from the bracket.

4

Remove the shock from the vehicle.

5

Place the new shock into position and install the lower mounting bolt through the bracket and into the shock absorber. Tighten the nut with the ratchet and socket. Install the upper nut that secures the upper shock to the vehicle inside the engine compartment with the ratchet and socket.

6

Reinstall the tire and tighten the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench. Lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack.

7

Repeat the process on the opposite side of the vehicle.

Rear Shock Replacement

8

Loosen the lug nuts on one of the rear tires with the lug nut wrench. Place the jack under the axle of your Jeep and lift the vehicle enough to remove the tire. Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire from the axle.

9

Locate the two mounting bolts that secure the shock into position. There are two bolts, one on the top and one on the bottom. Remove these bolts with the ratchet and socket. Remove the shock from the vehicle.

10

Place the new shock into position. Thread the mounting bolts through the bracket and into the shock. Tighten the bolts with the ratchet and socket.

11

Replace the tire onto the hub of the axle. Tighten the lug nuts and lower the vehicle to the ground.

12

Repeat this process on the opposite side of the vehicle.

The Shovelhead was the best and worst of Harleys, built mostly when Harley was a division of American Machine and Foundry. The engineering was flawed and the assembly was mostly rushed. Yet the Shovel is the most nostalgically-remembered Harley because it was the last engine type before the motor company began marketing itself to the RUBs, the rich urban bikers who actually saved the company. Chassis parts, including shock absorbers, are still very widely available for all Shovels. Anybody will sell you shocks to fit any Shovel and they are almost always better than the originals. Start with new replacement shock absorbers.

Instructions

1

Measure the distance with a steel tape from the middle of the upper shock bolt to the middle of the lower chock bolt for both shock absorbers.

2

Measure the same distances again while an assistant who is about your size sits on the motorcycle.

3

Subtract the difference, which is called "the squat." Do not adjust the shocks if the distance is between 1/2 inch and 1 inch -- because those measurements mean the squat is just right. Adjust the shocks if the squat is greater than 1 inch or less than 1/2 inch.

4

Turn the mechanical pre-load adjusting cam on the bottom of the shock absorber clockwise, with a spanner wrench to increase shock absorber pre-load and decrease squat.

5

Turn the mechanical pre-load adjusting cam counterclockwise with a spanner wrench to decrease pre-load and increase squat.

For a comfortable drive, your vehicles shocks and struts will need to be in good condition. But shocks and struts provide for more than just a smooth ride. Repair information on these two important automotive parts can be beneficial to a vehicle owners satisfaction.

Repair

When shocks and struts are worn out, the best option is to have them replaced. While shocks are usually easy to switch out, struts can require more effort, such as a wheel realignment afterward. For older-model vehicles with cartridge-type struts, the devices will not always have to be completely removed to change out their cartridges.

Identification

To identify if your shocks or struts need repair, there are certain things to look for. Continuous swaying and unusual bounciness while driving are two key signs. Also, uneven wear to your tires tread can indicate the need for shock and strut repair.

Time Frame

Unlike many vehicle parts, shocks and struts dont have particular mileage marks to cross before replacement or repair is needed. On average, shocks can last beyond 30,000 miles, while struts can last well over 50,000 miles.