Made a Mistake

So, I went to shift a spacer from one coil spring to the other and forgot to undo the lower shock bolt. Pulled apart my rubber shock mounts on top. Now I have to order overnight parts from Elka in Canada to fix them. Anyways, now I remember why I undo the lower shock bolt. If you’re working on the back, please don’t do what I did.

 

I don’t follow. What was your mistake and what got damaged?
I changed out rear coils without removing the lower shock bolt. Just undid the shock top bolts and lowered the rear axle with a jack.

 

Didn’t undo top or bottom. Just pulled on the shock.

 

I don't get it, either - if the shocks were still bolted in top and bottom, how were you able to lower the rear axle?

 

Bottle jack in between the axle and the bump stop area. Pushed the rubber shock mounts down and ripped them in half.

 

Oh. Sorry.

 

thanks brother. Just thought to share so others don’t follow suit if possible.usually I do better than this but learned this one the hard way.

 

Got any pics of said carnage? I've considered Elka shocks, and am curious how this could happen...

 

I will post. Definitely not the shocks fault. The pressure of a jack is way stronger than any shock mount. Actually glad they held up to my stupidity. Overall the shocks are like butter, so smooth.

 

Have you already contacted Elka to see if the mount in question can be replaced?

Also, did you happen to do a before & after writeup on your installation?

 

They open on Monday. Yeah, all rubber mounts can be replaced

 

Ouch! Both sides, or just one? You might want to check the shock mount tabs on the frame itself to make sure you didn’t bend them downward. Hopefully the shock itself is fine, but I’d monitor that once you install it again. They are made to hold the axle’s weight, but not sure if it would stand up to a jack’s pressure.

Did you disconnect the sway bar links? Check the rubber bushings and mounts on that as well.

 

All of us have broken something due to stupidity.

If you haven't, you have been letting someone else wrench on your truck.

Welcome to the club.

 

Will definitely check. Good insights!

 

Haha true!!! Even pros start somewhere.