Replacing rear shocks, having difficulty aligning bottom bolt

[theaustinite]

Alright, so I have the Eibach shock kit for rears and front. I’m keeping stock height and stock springs. I’ve been able to replace the driver side and got the bottom bolt hole aligned and all torqued up.

Today I was working on the passenger rear, and everything went smoothly right up to the point of jacking up the shock to align the bottom bolt holes. I’ve read through the forum, I’ve tried the 7/8” shims, sometimes it slides to the right, sometimes it catches the shims and doesn’t slide up them.

Does anyone have any AHA! type of suggestions they can provide? For the life of me, I just can’t get it!

I’m working on a 2023 F150 Lightning Lariat ER.

Thanks in advance!

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[TaxmanHog]

What if you loosen the upper three nuts enough to get the bottom eyelet aligned to the mount?

The SM suggests installing the lower bolt first, then finish up with the upper fasteners.

 

[theaustinite]

I have the three top nuts loose, but the shock extends past the bottom bolt hole. It needs to be compressed into place.

It’s been super tricky! Has anyone used ratchet straps to compress the shock into place instead of a jack?

 

[TaxmanHog]

Do you have the swing arm being supported by an adjustable jack, can you lower it some to get the clearance or is it already hanging at its lowest?

 

[theaustinite]

It’s already hanging at its lowest

 

[TaxmanHog]

I guess spring compression clamps would help in this situation.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ompressor-with-safety-hooks-w80559/11931887-P

 

[theaustinite]

I’ve got those. Still had troubles. I got it 90% of the way there, but just couldn’t get it aligned right!

I’m going to try some ratchet straps tomorrow to compress shock and hopefully be able to guide it in. Super frustrating!

 

[AZT9]

I have done my Truck and my Buddies truck now with the same kit. The top hats MUST BE CLOCKED in the same orientation as they were before releasing the spring compressors for everything to line up. Good news is as @TaxmanHog stated. You can compress the springs just enough to rotate the top hat to the correct orientation without having to fully disassemble them to get everything g to line up smoothly
Hope that helps

 

[21st Century Truck]

FYI - I used a transmission support screw jack to great success in lifting the bottom of the shock eye body enough to get that bolt in.

 

[Victorog]

Alright, so I have the Eibach shock kit for rears and front. I’m keeping stock height and stock springs. I’ve been able to replace the driver side and got the bottom bolt hole aligned and all torqued up.

Today I was working on the passenger rear, and everything went smoothly right up to the point of jacking up the shock to align the bottom bolt holes. I’ve read through the forum, I’ve tried the 7/8” shims, sometimes it slides to the right, sometimes it catches the shims and doesn’t slide up them.

Does anyone have any AHA! type of suggestions they can provide? For the life of me, I just can’t get it!

I’m working on a 2023 F150 Lightning Lariat ER.

Thanks in advance!

Folks i went through the same problem. you would need another hand, if you are working off the floor this will be the best option. Take off the rear axle drive shaft nuts 36 inch socket needed on each side it would drop down, then have the second person stand on the rotors/rear wheel assembly holding the bed for support, put some weight on it as it gradually comes into alignment, at the same time a someone has to be under the vehicle ready to push the bolt in, get a hammer to tap it in. That is the only way. trust me it took two days to figure it out. I tried all the other options i guarantee you it will not work. The crazy part i turned the spring perch is up side down on the rear shock, causing the lift smh i was so stressed out, i had to do it over a week later don't make the same mistake. I hope this helps you Goodluck.

All the options i tried before i figured it out. have someone stand on the caliper and rotor assembly and apply weight and watch it gradually come down. As you can see my spring perch was upside down lifting the rear end, i had to do it over a second time.

 

[AZT9]

All the options i tried befoer i figured it out.

I hate to tell ya. But your bottom coil pertch is upside down buddy.

 

[Victorog]

I know that, this is what happens under stress and frustration, read the header ( All the options i tried before i figured it out. have someone stand on the caliper and rotor assembly and apply weight and watch it gradually come down. As you can see my spring perch was upside down lifting the rear end, i had to do it over a second time. )

 

[AZT9]

Apologies. Only the photos populated when I replied. Glad ya got it sorted. Bummer to do it all twice

 

[Victorog]

Apologies. Only the photos populated when I replied. Glad ya got it sorted. Bummer to do it all twice

No worries. I almost started crying but had to compose myself as my wife watched laughing at me. It is all fun now. I waited a week to redo it all over when she was not home LOL.

 

[nate002]

Thank you for posting this along with your issues and solutions. I have the same kit, and I’ve done the front. It was a pain so I haven’t done the back yet (went and got an alignment after the front).

After tackling the back, and dealing with the mistakes, if you had to do it again knowing what you know, about how long would you figure it’d take you to do each side now? Also, do you need to get an alignment after doing the back?

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