Axle Shaft / Lift Install Advice, Thanks!

[RK Racing]

Installing 2 1/2 inch fox longer shocks. Have seen lots of YouTube videos but do not 100% understand this part……. As in the picture with the finger pointing down, trying to push the lower A arm down low enough to remove the shock and of course the new shock is even taller to install and it seems like only the axle shaft is stopping me from pushing it down lower…… so do I force the axle shaft out of the spline assembly by pulling on the arm out words or what’s the trick to lower the arm even more? Thank you.

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[Bob902]

Installing 2 1/2 inch fox longer shocks. Have seen lots of YouTube videos but do not 100% understand this part……. As in the picture with the finger pointing down, trying to push the lower A arm down low enough to remove the shock and of course the new shock is even taller to install and it seems like only the axle shaft is stopping me from pushing it down lower…… so do I force the axle shaft out of the spline assembly by pulling on the arm out words or what’s the trick to lower the arm even more? Thank you.

Yes, the axle is stopping you. Remove the axle nut and pop the hub assembly loose from the axle. Then you should have plenty of play to move the lower control arm down.

 

[RK Racing]

Yes, the axle is stopping you. Remove the axle nut and pop the hub assembly loose from the axle. Then you should have plenty of play to move the lower control arm down.

I have read a little little bit about popping the axle out of the differential area a little bit. But why do you take the axle nut off, do not understand that part, thank you very very very much.

 

[Frenchy]

Taking the CV Axle nut off will allow you to get the CV axle out of the spindle/hub and will allow the hub and control arm to move more. After you install the new strut assembly you will install the axle into the hub and install the axle nut.

 

[Bob902]

I have read a little little bit about popping the axle out of the differential area a little bit. But why do you take the axle nut off, do not understand that part, thank you very very very much.

Taking the axle nut off allows the wheel hub assembly to slide independent of the axle and hopefully keep the axle in position. I put Eibach on my truck. They included really easy to follow instructions. I have tried to include them here


https://eibach.com/us/pdf/357551

 

[ylwjacket]

For me, I popped the cv apart trying to put the axle back into the spline after installing the coilover.

I had to take the axle out, take the cv apart and fix it, then keep going.

 

[RK Racing]

Thank you everyone.

 

[RK Racing]

Taking the axle nut off allows the wheel hub assembly to slide independent of the axle and hopefully keep the axle in position. I put Eibach on my truck. They included really easy to follow instructions. I have tried to include them here


https://eibach.com/us/pdf/357551

Starting to read that link now, thank you very much. P. S. My fox shocks have zero instructions with them.

 

[Langwilliams]

someone shared a video of a shop doing this an they removed the lower control arm bolts at the frame an the strut dropped right out. You have to mark the bolts so they are aligned when you but them back in to get you to the alignment shop. You need an alignment anyway.

 

[SDXLT]

I’m about to put Eibachs in and am considering the LCA method. The only drawback I can tell is the torque spec exceeds my torque wrench at something close to or north of 200 ft lbs. I’m going to see if I can get a torque wrench from advance auto as a loaner otherwise I guess I’ll just use an impact wrench and a breaker bar and hope the bolts don’t loosen before the alignment.

 

[RK Racing]

I’m about to put Eibachs in and am considering the LCA method. The only drawback I can tell is the torque spec exceeds my torque wrench at something close to or north of 200 ft lbs. I’m going to see if I can get a torque wrench from advance auto as a loaner otherwise I guess I’ll just use an impact wrench and a breaker bar and hope the bolts don’t loosen before the alignment.

Just do the axle nut thing and use a center punch in the center hole of your axle to punch it back or a good rawhide or hard plastic hammer to punch the axle back easily. It was crazy easy to do once you learn it. I sincerely thought about lowering the lower arm and I am so glad I did not go that route. I had to go to six stores to find a 35 mm socket.

 

[SDXLT]

You need a 35mm for the axle nut but not for the LCA. You also do not need to take apart everything on the top half of the suspension. After you drop your skid plate to get clearance to the LCA bolts you just have those two bolts and then the coilover bolts top and bottom. I have seen a couple videos and it is about 30 minutes of work both sides.

 

[SDXLT]

I sincerely thought about lowering the lower arm and I am so glad I did not go that route.

What about the LCA vs other way made you glad you didn’t do the LCA? Time is of concern for me as I have to do this after the kids go to bed at 8 and have a driveable truck for the next morning to get them to school. Lot of pressure haha

 

[NvrFinished]

Here you go. Can't miss with this.

 

[Zvedza]

The only drawback I can tell is the torque spec exceeds my torque wrench at something close to or north of 200 ft lbs.

Learned i needed to check the torque spec before i take stuff off, my damn shocks need 407ft-lbs
To think i hated dealing with macpherson-struts, the front shock change on this truck was a pain.

Also since mine has iwe, putting the axle back into the hub was sketchy as you need to make sure all the splines get in right.

Here you go. Can't miss with this.

Something i was taught was to keep the nut on the thread when breaking off the spindle/tie rod cause you can damage the threads without it when it releases.

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