How To Install Replace Front Shocks Chevy S10 Pickup and GMC S15 Sonoma Truck 82-04 1AAuto.com

[DualsMeatChevy94]

great vid. thanks for the post

[supersanchez1991]

how would you change the coils? i want to change my coils on my s10 but i dont want to do it till i get an idea of how to.

[1aauto]

@supersanchez1991 We currently do not have an auto repair video of that particular repair. However you would need to remove the shock as shown in this video, compress the spring with a spring compressor, and unbolt some of the suspension pieces once the spring is compressed. These springs have a lot of compression and can cause serious inquiry if they're not taken out in the correct manner. You could also reference a repair manual such as a Chiltons or Haynes manual.

[tweed187187]

Oh ok im very sorry.i just have been everywhere looking and trying to download a repair manual and cant find one and shouldnt have acted like that.thank you for the video and if you have any more info on repairing anything on my 99 jimmy i would be so thankful.again im sorry and thanks again.

[1aauto]

@tweed187187 No problem at all, we're glad to help out our customers ...anytime!

if you need any parts check out our website 1aauto.com We carry a ton of great repair parts for your 99 Jimmy. All of our parts include FREE SHIPPING too.

[tweed187187]

how the hell do you change the shocks on a 99 gmc jimmy??why is this coming up under the search?where can i download a haynes or chilton manual for my 99 jimmy??thanks for vid anyway.

[1aauto]

@tweed187187 HI this video will show you how to do the front shocks on your 99 GMC Jimmy, they are the same, and this video will show you how to do the rear shocks.Hope this helps you out.youtube.com/user/1aauto?fe­ature=mhee#p/search/26/NwvhT78­juHI

[goldenchild69able]

@1aauto thank you for all your videos they are detailed and very helpfull for anyone to follow

[shupster369]

Thanks for the vid gonna do my shocks soon an thought I had to take the ball joints off and pull the spring off

[Guerreroville]

Is this the same on a 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

[1aauto]

@Guerreroville We currently do not have a shock replacement video on a 1977 Monte Carlo. However the basics may be similar on that vehicle.

[AndayyLam]

You can always use a torque extension if your tightening with an impact

[TweekinE]

Is this the same way to put new shocks onto an sls 01 jimmy?

[1aauto]

@TweekinE The process should be the same on your 2001 GMC Jimmy. Hope this helps you out.

[spelunkerd]

I guess I'm a little confused by the description of shocks inside loaded struts for this vehicle. How do you tell on inspection if your vehicle has shocks or struts? Shock replacement seems easy, but I wouldn't want to loosen the wrong nut under tension.

[1aauto]

@spelunkerd If you have a strut the shock and the coil spring will be set up as one assembly, and if it's not a strut the shock and coil spring will be separate from each other on the vehicle.

[perezeddie77]

I have a 95 toyota tacoma would this video work the samne on my truck?

[1aauto]

@perezeddie77 The basics should be similar. Usually there are 1 or 2 bolts at the top and 1 bolt at the bottom that hold them in place. hope this helps you out.

[odrigo90]

Is it the almost the same process for a 2010 Chevy 1500 I'm am about to change the shocks and wondering if I can do it my self?

[1aauto]

@odrigo90 The basics should be similar. Usually there are 1 or 2 bolts at the top and 1 bolt at the bottom that hold them in place. hope this helps you out.

[Vacmasterthegreat]

is this the same for a 91 s10? I think(but I'm can't remember) that the shocks on mine are next to the spring, not in it, but that might be my Nissan I'm thinking of.

also, being on a very tight budget, and seeing my truck is a backup rustbucket, which would be more beneficial to replace for ride comfort, front or back shocks?

[1aauto]

@Vacmasterthegreat Yes the process to remove the shocks on your 1991 Chevy S10 should be the same.

[mathjoeb]

Informative, thanks, Joe

[newoyaj]

Well I don't think I'll be using the sawzall on the s10 4wd. It has a different bolt configuration.

[DZEyoyo123]

I have a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis, would I replace the front shock(s) the same way?

[1aauto]

@DZEyoyo123 Your Grand Marquis is a different make and model, so the procedure would be different. At the currrent time we do not have a video of the Grand Marquis shock installation.

[supersanchez1991]

thank you very much for all the great videos i just bought my 2003 s10 and i have learn alot from you videos

[theGraveman2011]

great video just what i needed but i am doing springs as well so i need a video for that

[stedun77]

your videos are great,,,but will you stop calling 'nuts',,bolts!

[buddyz009]

i would assume that these are the same steps for a 99 gmc jimmy

[black29silvert]

What do I do if the top bolt is so rusted that the vice grips just chew up the top of the shock? That's what happened to me. I can't even get it loose.

[1aauto]

@black29silvert Mike shows you how to over come this in the video when he says "Don't be afraid of the sawzall"

[macwhite4265]

is it the same on a 97 chevy tahoe?

[1aauto]

@macwhite4265 - It is very similar on a Tahoe. 2wd vs 4wd will make a slight difference, but it is still fairly easy & straightforward to do.

[SamHoward1767]

Thank you so much,,,,, never did i think it was so easy,,, wow,, again thank you

[bosommm]

My 99 blazer has no front springs only suspensions !! there is an arm attached and its adjustable, I feel that one of the sides is softer than the other... while driving.

do u have any video for adjusting the strength of this kind of front springs??

Great videos, Thanks

[1aauto]

@bosommm You have a 4x4 with torsion bar "springs" You can adjust them. I do not have a video specifically for this.

[ka0djr]

I put Lock-tite on all shock mounting bolts. I have had them work loose before.

[conkernero]

would this be the same for a 1997 s10?

[1aauto]

@conkernero A 97 S10 2WD yes.

[951prerunner]

@1aauto is this the same setup as the 2001 s10 blazers?

[joeldude76]

i did this on m 2000 gmc sierra and i didnt remove the wheel and nothing was rusted i was suprised for it being a michigan truck it took me about 45 minuts to do the fronts

[MysteryUser2011]

I'm want to replace the struts on my 1996 Nissan Maxima , i know the procedures are different because it's a different car.

But you gave me the confidence to do it myself.

Plus I'm in my schools Auto Tech class

So I have some knowledge

[1aauto]

@MysteryUser2011 We do have videos for taurus and accord struts. Those will be closer.

[nebur5151]

If I lower my 93 silverado do I need to replace my shocks? I replaced them about a year ago. I'm thinking about a 4/6 drop so i'm pretty sure i have to change out the back shocks. Any help would be apprecheated.

[1aauto]

@nebur5151 Not my area of expertise but yes I would imagine that you would have to change out the shocks to lower it 4-6.

[dpsa98]

Excellent Video.....Whenever I go over a bump I get a loud squeaking noise from my front left side.  It also does it when I push down on the front left fender. It sounds like it's coming from the shock. Sounds like someone closing a door with rusty hinges. I hear it when I turn the wheel also on that same side. Does this sound like it could be the shocks? If so now I know how to change them

[1aauto]

@dpsa98 Shocks usually will not squeak. that sounds more like a suspension bushing or ball joint.

[boogeyman348]

@dpsa98 - did u ever find out what that noise was? my blazer does the exact same thing,and i thought it may be the shocks as well. plz reply back,so i dont replace the wrong thing.tks

[UberStarFkr]

I want to greatly thank the mechanic in this video and 1Aauto for providing it! I started to change the shocks on my 1982 Chevy S10. It's my first time doing this. I was able to get the rear shocks changed easy but the front ones gave me hassle. My repair manual mentioned to use a open wrench with another wrench for the top nut of the front shock.

I was personally so confused until I saw this video and a light bulb flickered on haha! I'm a hands on guy so needed a visual badly. Thanks!!!!

[hotshorts64]

Awesome video! I'm getting ready to do the shocks on my 91 Sonoma and this will help me a ton! I'm also glad you addressed the rust issue for all of us in the rust belt! Thanks!

[JayZee902]

GREAT Tutorial! Thank You Tons!

[nickbubblehead]

Thanks for the video tutorial. You make it look so easy!

[JohnCoctoasten85]

Changed mine out today, thanks to this tutorial. Hats off to you 1aauto!

[XxTournaquetxX]

Thank you so much for making the video, its a lot easier to do then I thought, this will definitely save me some cash.

[1aauto]

@changomoreno13 You may not have to if you can get to the top mount OK and it is not rusted.

[changomoreno13]

do i really have to take the tire out, my truck is lifted 3 inches and i can get under it

[manjuan25]

When the truck is in neutral, I can press the 4x4 switch, and it sounds like a relay under the dash clicking. Still won't engage.  There are 3 vac. hoses that connect to a bulk head on the driv. side of the transfer case. I have vacuum in 1 hose. I checked and replaced a hose with a Y connector that clamps to the top of transfer case. Still won't engage to 4x4. What do you suggest?

[1aauto]

TO engage 4Hi you actually need to be moving. Only when you want to engage 4Lo you need to be in neutral.

[PatriotsFanX9]

@1aauto are you positive? i only ask because i recently started driving and i have a 93 f150 and when i go offroading i always put my truck in neutral to engage 4hi and it works.

[1aauto]

@PatriotsFanX9 Good Point, an S should shift on the fly, so try it in neutral. If this does work it is an indicator of a weak shift motor.

[manjuan25]

Thanks for the information.

[manjuan25]

I have a 2004 Gmc Sonoma and my 4x4 is not working. Any advice? Where should I start?

[1aauto]

The 4WD has 3 systemsto check. First the dash switch can go bad. Second, the transfer case shift motor can stop working or the wiring can get damaged. Third the axle is actuated by vacuum so either the vacuum actuator or solenoid could get damaged or a vacuum line could get damaged or disconnected. Use a multimeter to diagnose the switch and transfer case motor. Make sure there is vacuum to the axle actuator. If you find any of those parts are bad we sell replacements on our website.

[1doubbled1]

very informative man let me know when you make a vid on replacing the coil springs, thats my next step, i was thinking of lifting the truck up on a lift like yours, and then using a jackstand to slowly lower the control arm with the jack stand after taking out the ball joint bolt and the shock and then replacing the coil. what do you think?

[1aauto]

Second request for control arm/coil spring replacement. I'll do that video soon. I will use a lift but not very high then use a floor jack to support and lower the control arm. Much more safe. The tall jacks can get knocked over too easily.

[vincentredbull]

I have a 1979 olds cutlass. but the triangle shaped metal part where you just put the shock absorber through and two bolts in, at 06:00 is damaged by rust, is it difficult to replace that part? (I already have that part)

[1aauto]

I believe you are referring to the lower control arm. With the correct tools it is a moderate replacement. Without the right tools don't even try it. It is very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. I'll ad this to my list of items to shoot a video on.

[vincentredbull]

thanks for your quick reaction and adding this to your list.

you mean that the coil spring is a dangerous thing without the special tools?

[1aauto]

Yes, exactly.