Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Lazy Daze Forums => Lazy Daze Technical => Topic started by: jor on July 19, 2025, 04:47:22 pm

Title: New Shocks
Post by: jor on July 19, 2025, 04:47:22 pm
How much do those guys charge to change your shocks? Whatever it is, they are underpaid! Just finished up on my 09. What a PITA job that was. Anyhow, all done now with nice shiny new Bilstein Comforts.
jor

Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: Larry W on July 19, 2025, 07:22:11 pm
The front, driver’s side shock is my favorite, how about yours?

Larry
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: rich on July 19, 2025, 08:00:05 pm
The front, driver’s side shock is my favorite, how about yours?

I tackled the top driver side using the multi-wrench I've posted about previously.   Feeling superior for conquering the toughest part of the job, I proceeded to break the lower front driver shock mount by torquing the nut 'to spec'.

1 Dorman 31001 kit later, I torqued it to 'feels about right'.

Amazon.com: Dorman 31001 Shock Bolt Kit - Universal 1/2-20 Universal Fit :... (https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-HELP-31001-Shock-Bolt/dp/B000COB5BM/ref=asc_df_B000COB5BM?mcid=79ce265390283281bb6a6738f9cb521f&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693394827787&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12269108840742009989&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9198685&hvtargid=pla-569705430653&psc=1&hvocijid=12269108840742009989-B000COB5BM-&hvexpln=0)

Rich
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: Larry W on July 19, 2025, 09:42:37 pm
I tackled the top driver side using the multi-wrench I've posted about

Rich

The multi wrench Rich recommended is the tool to use on the front shocks top bolts.

AIMIXUN 52 in 1 Universal Socket Wrench, Stainless Steel Professional... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D59YB5L4/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams#immersive-view_1752975705832)

Larry




Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: Ed & Margee on July 20, 2025, 06:02:10 am
Anyhow, all done now with nice shiny new Bilstein Comforts.

Jor, which brand/model did these new Bilstein replace?   When you have a minute could you please give a review?   Thank you.
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: StevenJill on July 20, 2025, 07:19:06 am
I wasn't getting anywhere with the multi wrench tool on the front shocks, so I quickly grabbed my cordless reciprocating saw. In under thirty seconds that top bolt was cut and the shock could be removed. A massive time saver.
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: jor on July 20, 2025, 09:37:03 am
Quote
The front, driver’s side shock is my favorite, how about yours?
I found the right rear to be a bit of a challenge. Not much room up there on the top notwithstanding the convenience hole Ford put in the floor. For the fronts, after trying a number of solutions, I ended up with a 3/8 ratchet and an 11/16 socket. Not too bad. The biggest problem I had with all four was getting the bottom of the shock on the peg. I ended up raising the chassis enough to get them in place.

Quote
which brand/model did these new Bilstein replace?
Here are photos of the old and new numbers.

Quote
please give a review

I haven't taken it for a test drive. We're planning a trip to the NW so I need to take it down for fuel and LP. I live on a 1.5mi poorly maintained dirt road so I'll get a taste of the new shocks but I'll need to get it on the road before I can compare them to the old.
jor
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: Ed & Margee on August 03, 2025, 04:03:02 pm
I haven't taken it for a test drive. We're planning a trip to the NW so I need to take it down for fuel and LP. I live on a 1.5mi poorly maintained dirt road so I'll get a taste of the new shocks but I'll need to get it on the road before I can compare them to the old.
Checking back to see if you have sufficient information for a review.  🤞🤞🤞

Follow up … thanks for your post down below 👏.
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: jor on August 04, 2025, 10:28:53 am
Quote
Checking back to see if you have sufficient information for a review.

We're heading to the NW in a week or two but in the meantime I did take it out to get fuel (can't exercise the genny with no gas in the tank!). I noticed the difference on the washboardy road out of our neighborhood and it drove fine on the paved road (50 mph) to the gas station. I didn't notice any difference in the handling which was already great imo. I'll report back on our trip when I get some miles in.

My old shocks were still working well although one (lr) had begun to leak (45K miles)
jor
Title: Re: New Shocks
Post by: Larry W on August 05, 2025, 03:16:16 pm
When our LD was new, I had a chance to change and compare the stock shocks to Bilstein Comfiorts that LD had tried and rejected. I also acquired a set of near new set of regular Bilsteins. The Comforts rode the same as the stock shock.
I liked the Comforts on the rear of our 24' LD. I now run the regular Bilsteins on the front and Comforts on the rear.

The  Bilsteins wear like iron. I replaced them at over 100,000 miles due to the rubber bushings wearing out; the shocks were still usable and had no oil leaks. Well worth the money.

Fort Bragg, slowly heading south toward home.
Larry