Replaced the front pads and front shocks on UPGRAYEDD today. 100℉ in the sun.
I did the rear shocks about five years ago during the RV-Life tour around the country. The rear shocks are simplistic enough to replace and only need about ten minutes… no need for a jack, either.
- Sit under the rear end.
- Loosen four pinch-bolts.
- Inflate the towing springs.
- Shocks effectively drop out.
- Reassembly is the reverse of removal.
Front end is a bit more drawn out.
Jack up one side. Add a jack-stand (two, because I’m working on sandy-soil).
Reposition the jack to lift the hub enough to extract the pinch-bolt.
Fiddle with the top end of the shock to remove its lock-nut.
And, hey, while you’re in there, go ahead and check the brake wear — do the front pads as well. Torque the caliper slide and bracket bolts.
Did I mention that it was in the sun? And 100℉?
Would’ve been a quick project, if I had a paved, covered area to work in.
Ah, it takes me back to the days when I had to overhaul the top end of an I-4 at an interstate rest stop in Kansas… in the summertime. At least Ellsworth, Kansas offered a bit of shade… and was paved.
**sigh**
Based on the amount of wear of the pads and rotors and in the typical driving I do, the existing rotors will likely last the rest of my lifetime. The new pads might as well.
I’d give my left two lug-nuts for an indoor shop (…between 55℉ and 85℉… with a paved floor… with shade… with no wind… and a vehicle lift) to expedite vehicle maintenance.
I’ll do the rear pads tomorrow and see about inspecting the parking brakes.
the rest of me 