Do not use pliers or vise grips on the polished shaft

They will score the polished chrome shaft. This will cause increased wear on the upper seals and, in turn, cause a hydraulic fluid leak from the shock or strut. Use a wrench to hold the shaft. There is a shoulder area near the top of the shaft, below the thread area, that is designed for use with a wrench. There are also special tools available for holding the piston shaft.

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Note the overall length difference

Replacement shocks and struts may be different lengths than the OE units. In some instances, a unit may be longer…

Check the contents of the small parts kit

Most shocks and struts come with loose parts, including nuts, washers, spacers, and possibly a bumper. Before installing the shocks…

Never replace just one shock or strut

To ensure the vehicle performs safely and as designed, always replace in pairs. When damping rates differ significantly from side…

Be aware of upper mounting stud length differences

Mounting stud lengths may differ slightly, but all should mount correctly. The most common difficulty occurs when trying to install…

Always use a torque wrench for the upper strut shaft mounting nut

Using an air or electric impact wrench to tighten the upper mounting nut on the piston rod can exceed the…