2nd shock is in route and hopefully will be in the box this time.
May be a good time to spray the bolts with rust penetrant
Thanks for the insight. I think you are exactly right. I received the OEM and replaced. I drove around tonight and the inload ride is MUCH improved. No more extra bouncing and wobble. I will hitch up the trailer after the new year. If it is still too unstable, I will definitely try the Firestones or stiffer springs. But for now, I am much happier with the vehicle!
Oh man, that really stinks! I hope it is resolved quickly for you. Mine took nearly 2 weeks to arrive, but I go them today. Installation was incredibly easy and there is a definite improvement! I am happy for now!
Hey runtn - Did you ever end up replacing the fronts?
I installed Bilsteins in the front (4600 model at the time) and the difference was literally night and day. The truck felt unsafe on the road with the OEM suspension from new.
I've had them on for many years now and wondering if I should replace them. Tire rack seems to have the best price (better than shock warehouse for me where I purchased them originally).
I listened to the recommendations and kept the OEM front springs. I had to rent (actually borrow as they were free) spring compressors from AutoZone. The Armada springs are so huge I recall the compressors being almost too small but a few of them (can't remember if it was 2 or 3) worked along with my air gun.
Last time I checked, the sales rep said they should be good for 150k miles but I'm sure that is an average. I had to replace one of them due to oil leaking and the guy at shock warehouse said it could have been a bad pothole (I think I remember which one lol) but they swapped it out for free.
Here is the shock at TireRack and Shock Warehouse:
www.shockwarehouse.com
Some thread references to the front shock install for those interested:
I just recently changed out my front struts with some Bilstein HD's and my front rotor and pads with R1 Concept E-line cross drilled/slotted rotors and posi quiet extended wear pads (sintered metal...not ceramic) Front Struts: You will need: Spring compressors (rented from autozone) Asorted...
www.clubarmada.com
Hey all, I installed the Bilstein HD front shocks this weekend and have been VERY happy with the upgrade. The ride seems smoother and I no longer pucker up over bad bumps :p The actuall install wasn't bad....most of the work was doing research on how to put the shock isolators on and for...
www.clubarmada.com
What a nightmare!!!
So I went to replace the rear air shocks and what was supposed to be the easiest part (removing of the air line) turned into the hardest and added several hours to an otherwise simple procedure.
Apparently the road salt/water of NY (
or is this an air dryer problem???) fused the brass collar that releases the air line not only to its self, but also to the plastic nipple which goes into the shock. I must be doing something wrong I thought because all the videos shows this as a non-event.
After trying to press the orange piece with a screw driver and then a panel removal tool which fit perfectly around the white nipple, the orange piece was crushed.
No problem, I'll just push on the brass collar. Nope. I pressed and pressed but it was fused. I even went as far to put the tip of my screwdriver on it and tap it with a rubber mallet to knock it loose. Then a piece of the brass collar went flying off.
Ugh. So next step was to get my dremmel with the cutting wheel to cut the entire thing off of the shock with the hose still attached. I did pretty well with it until I tried to remove the brass collar from the white hose nipple and twisted and snapped the plastic piece off the hose. Doh!!
At this point I figured it was toast so I had to replace it so I unplugged the part that goes into the compressor with the same attachment. Popped right off!
I had to do the same procedure on the other side and was able to get the air hose nipple out without breaking it but I went ahead an ordered two new air lines. That sucks because it is only the plastic nipple which is broken. But better to do it right than deal with this again (after I deal with it again).
I unplugged the compressor harness under the truck so it won't run and die (that was a PITA as well).
Interestingly, although the bottom bolts were tight/fused I was able to break them loose with a breaker bar and some muscle. Then finished off with an impact gun to speed it along. No drama.
At the end, I have both shocks installed (that part was only like 10 min per side), one plugged into air line, the other not. 129 ft/lbs per the service manual and slathered anti-seize all over the bolt before I put it in (and myself apparently lol).
As I went to turn around in my street I could immediately feel the difference of the shocks - they were actually working. Not only that, but the rear end was not sagging like it does after sitting over night. The driver's side shock was weak under compression, the passenger side compressed and never came back! So both needed replacing probably 50k ago.
Just to be double sure, I put silicone grease on the one good nipple and tried a few times to put it in/out. Yep, works like a charm.
I also had water in the shocks which I'm sure lead to this mess. I'm tempted to put some green grease on the shock air intake to prevent water from getting in and doing the same.
See attached pics of my fun day!
