2002 chevy Astro van front shocks remove replace

This is a video I made of changing the front shocks on my 2002 Chevy Astro van. Ive never changed front shocks before so this is a 1st time for me. I hope it teaches you something or at least gives you some know how on how to change your shocks yourself. If you even just have a 15mm lon g socket and some leverage you are able to break the top bolt right off. . I still was wondering how much tighter I could of tightened the top bolts.
Thanks for watching
www.trev2323.com

[@christinacruz4879]

Just finished the front shocks, took about 1.5 hours. Your video definitely helped. I did find a better way to get the top nut off, I used PB Blaster and used my plumbing fitting brush to clean the threads and hit it again with the the PB, both sides came off with out having to cut them. Tires need to be off, and you will need to have the vehicle on jack stands so you can jack up the new shock so you can get the new nut on the top threads.

[@Spectt84]

thanks for your Astro van how to videos! I'm a courier and I drive an astro van. With the 10k miles I drive a month I'm having a hard time keeping the van on the road. you've been a help!

[@crazybird3674]

I watched your video for front struts. It helped a lot. I tried a dremel on the first one and ended up having to use a sawsall. The dremel was a pain. Took me over an hour for that first one. The second one I broke off in under 40 seconds and had the new strut in in under 15 minutes. Breaking that top bolt is the way to go. A tip for anyone doing this; break the top bolt off before you take the bottom bolts out.

[@Ubereclectic]

I used PB blaster on the bolts and stem and removed the tire and lower shock bolts. I slid a pair of vise grips between coils to hold the shock stem and spun the nut off that way. Worked for me. I am sure breaking the top off would also work well if you have the right tools.

[@kenbrown7963]

Thanks for good description. Very helpful and will save me a bunch of time when I change my shocks. Torque is measured in Foot Pounds or Newton Meters, not PSI.

[@eds.877]

I followed your video instructions on my 90 GMC Safari and breaking that top stud was a life saver. Pushing a gas charged shock up to get the two bottom bolts in was a real pain on mine. Had to push shock up with one hand about an inch to get bolts in. On a charged shock it's tough. Lots of pressure pushing down the shock.

[@JonahAberle]

This is really helpful for me. Following this and the other vid to replace all 4 shocks. Really appreciate you making this.

[@genewileyopa]

Thanks for video. I have a 99 Asrto. I jacked up van, took wheel off. Then I put a bottle jack under A fram and jacked it up to make more room up top of A frame to get in there to cut bolt off with sawzal. Cut as low down as you can into rubber if possible and it will come out easy. Might be kind of hard to get in there, but I got it. Thanks again. ps if you have a cutting torch would work great if your careful.

[@scottbell8173]

Thanks for posting your video Robert...Astro's are a great vehicle,they just are not so mechanically friendly. But your video is a great help!

[@patrick-it3md]

Thank you! Took your advice re: sawzall on an '03 Astro. With the tire off, new 9" Milwaukee bi-metal (white) 14 TPI blade in battery op Craftsman Bolt-On recip saw employing a small wood block from above to hold the blade against the top washer/nut joint. Two men: one operating the saw entering from the front, the other holding the wood block from above as a blade guide (to keep blade from flopping all over). Once the cut started, took about 2 minutes to cut halfway through the nut and bolt...then broke it off easily!

[@Merciful2u]

I appreciate this video. I have new front shocks to install. I like how you tried different ideas before trying to break the post. I have a dremel, so I might try that.

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

I did my front and rear shocks here in NYS and they came off OK, but I have to admit, I broke the tops of the front shocks off and saved a lot of time. To raise the rear I added this bolt on half springs, two sets!

[@wheresthedvo]

thanks for the awesome advice, great video. im gonna use this info to replace the shocks on my dads astro as a suprise present

[@Dan0__]

Thanks! The sawzall worked fo me! I used a 7" blade, and took the foot off the saw and it fit perfectly! I went in from the rear on the passenger side first. I had used a box-end wrench to grab the nut and turned the shaft with the Lisle tool to loosen the nut. The shaft was rusty, I had sprayed it with PB Blaster and was able to get the nut pretty close to the top of the shaft... then I had room to get the sawzall blade between the nut and the washer... When I did the drivers side, there was no rust and I had no problem getting the nut off! I was very happy about that! My Safari is a 2002 with 169k miles. I notice the passenger side control arm, etc... is more rusty than the drivers side. I believe it's from th a/c condensation. I wonder if I'm missing a drain tube... Anyway, thanks for the great video! Very helpful!

[@victorserna9039]

Thank you for share what you know sir. Is kind of nice of you., thank you. Am about to do the same thing I follow your instructions god bless you sir 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@austinhatcher4969]

Really good info!Thank you!

[@ChrisChris-ey6km]

ey Roberto muy buena explicacion tratare de cambiar Los shocks ami van 97

[@ispeakmymind247]

I like this guy, he sounds like Cheek and Chong lol

[@fredbreden]

Good info,Thanks brother!!

[@scottbell8173]

being a diesel mechanic I have access to torches and so forth...Using great care and water extinguishers at the ready I was able to heat the top nut (with tires removed) and then unscrew the nut. I wouldn't recommend this procedure if your not familiar with using torches and knowing when to stop heating...if you are then just get that top nut only hot enough to remove it...that being said,don't get it red hot...let it cool for about a couple mins and see if it breaks loose. We use this method a lot at the shop and it works wonders. AGAIN..if your not familiar with the use of the torches don't try this. But cutting off the top of the shock bolt is a good way of doing this,no matter how you go about it...these boogers are a bitch to remove if they are the original equipment for sure.

[@jesuschristislord5642]

That the only to get them off break them off all the way it's that simple thanks for video keep them coming

[@scottdonovan5944]

Robert, Ive watched about 5 or 6 other videos, and without a doubt, yours was the best! I like that you did it both ways (cut 1 side and break the other), to give/show us the differences. So you think the breaking method went faster, and was easier? And did I hear you correctly that it only took about 15 minutes to do that side? Also, 1 final question.... if you weren't doing the video, how long would it have taken you? Maybe 2-3 hours?? Im gonna bookmark this video, because Im gonna replace the front shocks on my 2000 Safari soon. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@themiggybear9609]

Great videos man. Have you explored the load assist for the front?

[@IamVince1aa]

I just did mine ...I used a dewalt 90% adapter 9/16" deep socket and my impact gun...spun off easy

[@robert3640]

@@RobHereAKATrev2323 I think he meant to say 90 degree adapter

[@richardnielson3761]

Good video , if you don't bleed you are not doing it right. I have had to do that on so many vehicles saws all and dremel and penetrating oil or wd40 is a must.

[@marissacastro5917]

why did you cut the bolt?

[@Steve-cs3tt]

You just need to put a wrench or adjustable wrench on the top shock above the threads

[@lucaslapointe2129]

Thanks dude

[@OrionAlvarado]

Bru thanks for your help, btw you should get affiliate links for the shocks. that way if I were to buy them from your link to amazon, you get a commission. Unless you're doing it already

[@thomasgeraghty5374]

Are you in Chicago

[@Fukutube01]

😂 bro I’m here high watching this how to do video and you bust out with bobs your uncle lol wtf 😂

[@katietsykalyuk7276]

Is the van awd or just 2 wheel drive

[@robert3640]

It must be a 2 wheel drive because the shocks for the AWD have the 2 bolt connection at the top...I think lol.

[@workingshlub8861]

watch for any hairline cracks in the lower control arm...i had my shock break right thru the bottom of it was so rusted. mine is a 92 so..not a big surpise but you gotta inspect frequently. lesson learned.

[@jesuschristislord5642]

It's a Astro Van thing keep us happy it's Astro van life

[@jesuschristislord5642]

Can u make a video how to restore the paint that's fading and cracking to restore the color pls im from CA

[@YungManny]

you should lower the van with lowering springs lol!!

[@sumpunkster]

Couldn't you just take your sawsall and cut the strut in half in between the spring? Then just pull the top out and unbolt the bottom.

[@sumpunkster]

Rob Here trev2323 couldn't you take the top half out from the top after it's cut?

[@sumpunkster]

Never mind. I got my new shocks and see how they are and why I couldn't do that.

[@cr112784]

6:33 the universe is speaking nice double elevens “everythin gon b alright moonchild” ❤️‍🩹✌🏼