Tool Recommendation

[Chris M]

I'm needing to replace rear shocks on my wife's Edge and ultimately on my Ranger, and it seems I really need a torque wrench and probably some jack stands. I dont wrench a lot, so I dont need real expensive equipment but maybe something middle-of-the-road decent would be good.

I appreciate yall's experience and wisdom. Thanks!!

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[Bob902]

I bought a craftsman one at Lowe’s that wasn’t very expensive.

 

[Frenchy]

As an experienced technician that has been wrenching for just over 12 years now, I can say with confidence that you don't need all the super expensive stuff. That said certain things you don't want to skimp out on either. For a torque wrench, don't bother with Harbor Freight stuff. Spend the extra bit so you know for a fact that it is going to be accurate. I had a good 1/2 drive torque wrench from NAPA for a while until I got one from Snap-On and it did fine. For my wrenches I have a mix of Harbor Freight, Craftsman and Sunex. For my sockets I have a mix of Craftsman, Performance Tool, Harbor Freight and Snap-On. For my ratchets I have Craftsman and Snap-On. For screwdrivers I have a nice 11 in 1 Klein and som craftsman screwdrivers. Pliers are a mix as well.

For impact, I have my snap-on air impact half drive that works well as long as I have good air supply. I also have a DeWalt half drive 20 volt that has 1400 breakaway torque. Depending on where I'm at will depend if I'm using my air or my electric impact.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey Chris, you should be fine with Craftsman from Lowes - if something isn’t right with it or it breaks, returns are easy enough. A torque wrench is a must-have tool for all vehicles. No manual ever states torque in Ugga-guggas.

Also, just because your truck weighs three tons, doesn’t mean you need 3-ton jack stands - you’re only supporting one end or one corner at a time.

 

[Frenchy]

Hey Chris, you should be fine with Craftsman from Lowes - if something isn’t right with it or it breaks, returns are easy enough. A torque wrench is a must-have tool for all vehicles. No manual ever states torque in Ugga-guggas.

Also, just because your truck weighs three tons, doesn’t mean you need 3-ton jack stands - you’re only supporting one end or one corner at a time.

Just wait until you learn about "German Spec"!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I guess you’re not referring to the cured ham, are you?

 

[Chris M]

Im really hoping I dont have too hard of a time getting the bolts off these things. I dont have any power tools so it's all gonna be me grunting them out.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Im really hoping I dont have too hard of a time getting the bolts off these things. I dont have any power tools so it's all gonna be me grunting them out.

You can always give them a shot of penetrating oil the night before - put some cardboard down - can be a bit drippy.

Also, have a ratchet strap handy in case the shocks are too hard to compress by hand - so much easier!

 

[Chris M]

Quick backstory:
We bought the Edge used. It was a former rental car. I put tires on it immediately as they were somewhat worn and brand mismatched. Today was first oil change as supposedly all relevant fluids were changed before it was listed for sale. During oil change it was noticed by tech that brake fluid was low so I had them flush and fill that too. There have been no leaks noticed anywhere until today when it was on the lift. The tech noticed both rear shocks were leaking and showed me where. Then he showed me an estimate to replace them. $200+ per shock and $145 labor. I told him I was gonna hold off on that for now and just get oil and brake fluids done.

This was at my local Brakes Plus, by the way, and not the Ford dealer.

So now I'm doing research on how-to and what's needed.

Any shock brand recommendations for a '23 Edge?

 

[Frenchy]

Quick backstory:
We bought the Edge used. It was a former rental car. I put tires on it immediately as they were somewhat worn and brand mismatched. Today was first oil change as supposedly all relevant fluids were changed before it was listed for sale. During oil change it was noticed by tech that brake fluid was low so I had them flush and fill that too. There have been no leaks noticed anywhere until today when it was on the lift. The tech noticed both rear shocks were leaking and showed me where. Then he showed me an estimate to replace them. $200+ per shock and $145 labor. I told him I was gonna hold off on that for now and just get oil and brake fluids done.

This was at my local Brakes Plus, by the way, and not the Ford dealer.

So now I'm doing research on how-to and what's needed.

Any shock brand recommendations for a '23 Edge?

Fun fact about the Brake Fluid Reservoir on the level. It is normal for the level to get lower as you drive. This is due to the fact that the Brake Pads and Rotors wearing down and the Caliper Pistons going out further over time. Because of this the fluid has to take up the space behind the Caliper Pistons and that is why the Brake Fluid can get a bit low. That is why you should always check the Brake Condition before adding Brake Fluid to the Master Cylinder.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Honestly, a Harbor Freight torque wrench will be fine for limited use.

They have to achieve the same like-for-like torque standards as the Snap Ons do.

Do a search online for HF calibration. Their wrenches seem to maintain it as good as anyone if you "unload" it after use (set it to 0 to unload the spring).

Would a more expensive wrench be better? Probably so.

Would it be more accurate? Probably not.

Only you can determine if you want to spend $20 for one that you only use rarely, or $100 for one that you will use more frequently.

I'm all for spending the money for quality tools when it counts.

If it's something that can affect my life, ie jack stands, you can bet I'll get the good stuff.

I'm not all for making 6 monthly payments on a wrench just because of the name on it.

 

[PltFX4]

FYI, IMO, and how I did it:

On the Ranger, the rear shocks are easy... I did not even lift it, just slid under it and had at it.

Assume you have a ratchet and sockets (think shallow socket will be all you need but deep is good if you got them). Ratchet on the nut side and a box end wrench for the bolt side. Ratchet handle a little short for enough leverage?? 12"-16" of 1.5 steel water pipe (or the like) as an extension and the nut WILL yield. As for tightening, torque wrench is optional... gooden-tight will do (on the Ranger).

Measure the distance between the upper and lower shock bolts at what ever height the truck is at when your working on it. The shocks I installed came with a strap around them to keep them compressed for shipping; was not the distance I needed. Replaced the strap (cut it off) and used a ratchet strap to keep the shock compressed to the bolt distance, then just "slide" them in, insert bolts and tighten.

Fronts, is you plan on that, is a relative nightmare compared to the rears.... lol, pay to have those done.

As to the Ford Focus... got nothin for you. Torque wrench may not be optional for that one.

Good luck.

 

[Chris M]

Honestly, a Harbor Freight torque wrench will be fine for limited use.

They have to achieve the same like-for-like torque standards as the Snap Ons do.

Do a search online for HF calibration. Their wrenches seem to maintain it as good as anyone if you "unload" it after use (set it to 0 to unload the spring).

Would a more expensive wrench be better? Probably so.

Would it be more accurate? Probably not.

Only you can determine if you want to spend $20 for one that you only use rarely, or $100 for one that you will use more frequently.

I'm all for spending the money for quality tools when it counts.

If it's something that can affect my life, ie jack stands, you can bet I'll get the good stuff.

I'm not all for making 6 monthly payments on a wrench just because of the name on it.

I just ordered a Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench and a set of 3 ton jackstands with double locks. I'll have it all by Monday.

Now I gotta find good shocks.

 

[Chris M]

Aaaaaand I just ordered replacement shocks from oempartsonline.com

Paid less for the pair than Brakes Plus was charging for one. Im ok with that. I don't even want to know what the dealer would charge to replace the rears.

Cool thing for me is I get tools I can use for the Ranger as well while saving a bit of cash.

Hopefully I don't screw this up! I'm not much of a mechanic.

 

[Bob902]

Aaaaaand I just ordered replacement shocks from oempartsonline.com

Paid less for the pair than Brakes Plus was charging for one. Im ok with that. I don't even want to know what the dealer would charge to replace the rears.

Cool thing for me is I get tools I can use for the Ranger as well while saving a bit of cash.

Hopefully I don't screw this up! I'm not much of a mechanic.

You will be fine. Rear shocks are easy. I even talked my cheap self into replacing the fronts. Little more work, but still doable.

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