Replacing shocks

[epricedright]

I'm replacing the rear shocks on my '02 Deville DHS this afternoon with ACDELCO #504-547 OEM's and need the torque values for the mounting bolts. I don't have a FSM yet - could someone please look that up for me PLEASE? I'm also replacing the upper shock mounts with Moog #K5341.

[KHE]

This information is from the 2005 Deville shop manual - is should be the same for your '02.

FE1/FE3 suspension (soft ride) 18 ft-lbs (216 in-lbs)for shock to lower control arm nuts. The same spec is for the upper nuts to the shock tower.

If you have the FE7 suspension (firm ride) the shock to control arm bolts are 27 ft-lbs and the upper mount to tower nuts are 21 ft-lbs.

I could not locate the torque value for the large upper nut nut on the shock to the upper mount in the manual.

[epricedright]

This information is from the 2005 Deville shop manual - is should be the same for your '02.

FE1/FE3 suspension (soft ride) 18 ft-lbs (216 in-lbs)for shock to lower control arm nuts. The same spec is for the upper nuts to the shock tower.

If you have the FE7 suspension (firm ride) the shock to control arm bolts are 27 ft-lbs and the upper mount to tower nuts are 21 ft-lbs.

I could not locate the torque value for the large upper nut nut on the shock to the upper mount in the manual.

Thanks Kevin!!!

I'm not certain which suspension I have but I presume the soft ride being it's the DHS. I really need that larger upper nut value though - that's the one I was most worried about being it will compress the new rubber bushings that came with the shocks.

[Cadillac Jim]

Your entire option list will be on a sticker somewhere in your spare tire well or cover. The FSM has a list of what each code means.

In my 1997 FSM, page 0A-18, it says that the option list is on a "Service Parts Identification Label" on the compact spare tire well cover. Examples from my 1997 FSM:

FE1 - Suspension System, Soft Ride

FE3 - Suspension System, Sport

FE7 - Suspension System, Front and Rear, Heavy-Duty

N81 - Tires Spare, Full-size

The list goes from page 0A-19 through 0A-21.

[epricedright]

Your entire option list will be on a sticker somewhere in your spare tire well or cover. The FSM has a list of what each code means.

In my 1997 FSM, page 0A-18, it says that the option list is on a "Service Parts Identification Label" on the compact spare tire well cover. Examples from my 1997 FSM:

FE1 - Suspension System, Soft Ride

FE3 - Suspension System, Sport

FE7 - Suspension System, Front and Rear, Heavy-Duty

N81 - Tires Spare, Full-size

The list goes from page 0A-19 through 0A-21.

Yep, I have the FE1 Soft Ride. Thanks Jim!

[epricedright]

My son and I installed my shocks yesterday. Fun!!!

Few surprises:

1. You do NOT need the $65 ACDELCO shock mounting kit #19210500 if your new shocks have the screw-on air lines. I thought that kit included the upper and lower mounts, but it doesn't. It's mostly for connecting your airline to the old style clip-on shocks. I'll be returning that to Rockauto.

2. First set of shocks I received from Amazon had one shock leaking oil. Amazon promptly exchanged them.

3. The upper mount is in the trunk so you have to move the trunk lining out of the way.

4. One shock was vacuum locked or something, it would not decompress. My son and I made hernias trying to stretch out the shock - it would not budge. Finally figured out to put in 90 psi of air with my blow gun to free it up.

5. Once the airline is put into the shock with the 2 o-rings and collar and nut, and the nut is hand tightened, forget about taking it back out...it's a one-way ticket in.

6. All 4 of my "C-clip nuts" for the lower mount were broken. And guess what...no one sells a lower mount kit - that I found. I made do with the broken ones as the nut part itself was fine.

7. My LR had 2 cuts in the air line from rubbing so I had to splice that with the supplied new line. I used my old existing lines....accessing the compressor looks to be nightmarish...do you have to take down the muffler/tailpipe?

8. The old air lines have a VERY small hole (size of a pin head) but they still carry the air. The new lines are much larger.

9. Neither the shocks or mounting kit came with the 90 degree elbow for the airline where it screws on the shock so I used the straight-on plastic screw-on nut instead.

10. You need to hold the shock's upper mounting stud with a small wrench (6 or 7mm) while tightening the nut with an offset 15mm wrench (due to the bowl shaped washer). The MOOG instructions said 15 foot pounds for that nut but there's no way to use a socket/torque wrench being the stud turns while tightening the nut.

11. You can pitch the rubber bushings that come with the shocks. They're not used.

The ACDELCO shocks were $83 for the pair from Amazon w/free prime shipping although they're up to $100 now. The MOOG upper shock mounts were $37 for the pair. The old mounts looked to be okay, although the rubber was a little soft, but I replaced them anyhow. Purchased those from Advance Auto using the $30 off $75 promo code. Great deal for $120 to get rid of the occasional thumping noise and leaky shocks. My LR shock was leaking pretty bad.

Car drove/handled good before - but wow - so much better now! Glad we did it ourselves - first time replacing shocks. Great day with my son to teach him a few things and Dad got to learn a bit himself, although there were a few hair pulling moments.

[spanningtree]

Would you please share the parts numbers from Amazon for the shocks and shock mounts? And from Advance Auto? I'm looking to do the same.