'13 Tahoe - Front shocks easy to replace?

[Ex Euro Driver]

Hitting 50k miles and notice a little chatter up front. Going to start with shocks and go from there. Fairly easy job or is it a nightmare?

 

[PaulS63]

Not terrible, but the fronts are coil overs so you need a good spring compressor to do it safely.

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

Parts store compressor wont work, I used a wall mounted strut compressor to change mine. GM actually had a special wall mounted compressor for the NNBS struts for some reason

 

[PaulS63]

I used a parts store compressor, but it didn't grip the spring very well. Held my breath the whole time.

 

[t.stimpson]

i tried using a store compressor myself. scared the shit outta me and took it to a shop nearby. He only charged $40 for both. I guess thats better then losing a hand.

 

[yates ™]

Used the store spring compressors with no issues.

 

[welfarewagon]

I just bought a set of the quick strut from Rockauto.com $99.00 each, made by Monroe with new strut and spring, swapped out both sides yesterday in less then 2 hours by myself. Its a lot cheaper then an ACDelco strut, they run from $112- $239 depending on your suspension set up and you still have to swap out the springs.

 

[Ex Euro Driver]

Awesome guys, thanks for all the input. Might just take the easy route and replace the entire strut

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

You guys must've got lucky. It wouldnt compress the spring far enough for me when I did it

 

[Padraig]

I just bought a set of the quick strut from Rockauto.com $99.00 each, made by Monroe with new strut and spring, swapped out both sides yesterday in less then 2 hours by myself. Its a lot cheaper then an ACDelco strut, they run from $112- $239 depending on your suspension set up and you still have to swap out the springs.

I did the same thing. Piece of cake!

Padraig

 

[Ponchonutty]

If you have some chatter I would double check your front Endlinks off the Swaybar first. Much cheaper and easier to change

 

[Wake]

I used a parts store compressor, but it didn't grip the spring very well. Held my breath the whole time.

I use the cheap harbor freight compressor but I use two sets so 4 gripping the spring at all times. Piece of mind and easier to crank the individuals ones down.

The worst part of doing strut type suspensions for me has been since I moved to the East coast. The salt used here makes removing them impossible. Every strut I've changed on an east coast vehicle I've had to cut the shock rod to get them off the top mount.

Quick strut kits are the easiest but I always worry about the quality of the shock they provide being so cheap.