logikfive wrote:Oh, and one more thing... is there a fix for these darn kit shocks? In the 17 years I've owned these trucks, rebuild after rebuild I could NEVER get the shocks to not leak all over the place. Easiest fix is to replace with some newer style shocks, I assume?
IMO AE shocks are very easy if you take your time.
-FIRST make sure you cut all the flashing off of the parts before you even put them on the mounting tool... THIS INCLUDES THE SHOCK PISTON. If anyting still has errant bits of molding on them then you'll never build a decent shock no matter what brand.
-Before you slide all the "seal" parts into the body apply a good amount of AE Green Slime assembly lube. I actually like to goop the rubber gaskets up before i ever put them on the tool.
- Push everything down in and, while holding the tool in place turn it over and using the shock to push down with press the tools end against the table until you hear the snap. If it isn't a SOLID "snap" then you didn't get it in there right. Pull everyting out and try again.
- Now, drip some shock oil on the shock shaft starting at the threads and then spread it with your fingers to cover the whole shaft before sliding it in the shock.
-From here its easy. Fill the shock up with oil, move the piston assembly up and down to get ALL of the air out from underneath it.
- Now put the shocks somewhere standing up for about 5 minutes. Seriously put them somewhere they won't spill over to give the air plenty of time to work its way to the top of the oil and out.
- Finally, put the shock cap on about halfway and work the shaft up and down again being sure not to push the pistion past the top of the shock body, until all the excess oil is bled out. Tighten the cap and make sure there is no preload but pushing the piston in... it should not return out on its on. If it does you still have a little too much oil in there, loosen the cap and bleed it some more and redo.
One other thing make sure you replace the black o ring on the top fo the shock body (under the cap when its on)... that thing really is nessicary to seal things up well.