DIY Sprinter Shock Replacement

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Parts Used: Front Struts: amzn.to/2I4mlr3 Back Shocks: Custom From: goo.gl/az2W5n (If you don't want custom rear shocks or need to save a little money, these will be perfect: amzn.to/2jGkNcd) If you need help picking out the correct shocks, let us know in the comments and we will see how we can help. :)

[@l603]

would those work for a 2007 freightliner sprinter??

[@Frank-cm3qc]

Great Video - PLEASE check your rear upper shock mount bolts as your video at the end shows one side upper mount moving a bit as if the bolt was not torqued fully. Keep up the great channel! THANKS

[@JackNelsonBand]

How did you know which “Shock Tune” to use for the rear? V3, V4, or V5?

[@leefreitas9809]

Love the video! What size tires are on your van? Are they Mandrus Starks? Is it 2WD? Is it lifted?

[@justheather4144]

🤯 I would have never thought twice about replacing my shocks. You make it look easy & un-intimidating. I'm definitely going to do it when the time comes. I hate paying for service I could do myself. Thanks for a very useful DIY video I haven't seen from other RVers. 👍 You guys are such good youtubers 😆

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome, Heather! Let us know how it goes! :D :D Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@marym3260]

Thanks just like u gave the confidence to build my solar/inverter charger electrical system u give me the confidence to attempt this as well thanks u guys u guys a huge help

[@citizzencain]

that's the DIY spirit! Noticed you put a new bumper on...I would seriously consider extending some pipes from that middle hoop to the the outside edges of the bumper over the lights for added fender protection in case (god forbid) you have an animal strike...more like a bull bar setup. That's where you would most likely have a strike. I would even throw some dear whistles on just for good measure...I don't claim to know if they work or not but just an extra precaution! We've driven up some up on some people that have hit a dear and it's not a pretty sight all the way around...significant damage to the vehicle (without protection) and the animal was still alive and needed to be put out of it's misery but no one had a firearm. Food for thought! Keep the vid's coming!

[@KevinCoyaselfreliantlife]

Gyroscopic warbilazation adjusted. Ready for warp factor 6! Give her all she's got Scotty!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

ROFL! I'm surprised I haven't gotten more comments about the Gyroscopic Warbilization tests performed. lol

[@absoluteelectricwat]

I love your independent and 'can do' attitudes!

[@candacerivero]

I LOVE your Plasti-Dip results! Gave me plenty of inspiration. Thanks

[@nadakidd]

Just replaced mine with Bilstein B6. It has never handled so well. Most of the job was easy save for one of the struts having a frozen allen at the top. Had to weld a bar onto the shaft to stop it from turning in order to get it out.

[@lennydoolan]

Awesome job guys! Thanks for showing me how to change the struts!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey travelinggnome, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@campingboy9213]

Great video. Shocks are on my list this summer. Sweat truck and truck camper in the back ground. Not sure if you are aware, but most truck campers sit on a rubber mat. Even with a truck bed liner. Horse stall mats are often purchased for this. Lastly, have an amazing trip to Nicaragua. I look forward to photos on IG. Safe travels. Cheers.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Nice, yeah, they are making a huge difference. That's Mom's new camper! It's the one we are going to be doing the solar install on. Thanks so much for watching! :D

[@moniqueslikkerveer6158]

Is it that easy? Can't believe it. Thanks for teaching lesson. With love from the Netherlands.

[@fordracer1415]

I just did mine it’s not the nut on the top was tightened by the hand of god requires a few tools most people don’t have

[@aclarke9479]

You guys make a great team! Nice work

[@saintsaens21]

Always astounded by your knowledge of car parts and ability to team work.

[@Vankookz]

Sick guys! I’m gonna get stoked and throw some fresh ones on soon!

[@davidnjoroge8495]

dont forget to redo yr camber adjustments you should hav marked the camber position

[@ExploringNomad]

Great choice with going with Fox and Bilstein Shocks. They're an amazing upgrade.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

110% agree!

[@naluryder]

Thanks a bunch for sharing!!👍🏾👍🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@Turnerman17]

Are there torque specs for the front and rear?

[@iancarter1268]

Love the bounce test 🇬🇧👍👍

[@marscan1]

Why did you go with the bilstein 22-184238 as opposed to the bilstein 22-184245(Camper version)

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No reason. They are just the ones we picked.

[@ombreuis]

How much torque have you applied on the bolts ???

[@Wookey.]

No springs on your struts; how does that work? Does it use an internal oil/air spring rather than the conventional coil? Certainly makes it easier if you don't have to fight with spring compressors.

[@northeastcarpfishing]

Hi you need to get your alignment checked and adjusted when you remove old ones and replace you mark old position to keep alignment right

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Indeed! It's always a good idea to get an alignment after performing suspension work.

[@firpofutbol]

Where is the center jack points for both front and rear? Do you have it listed on your website? A video on this would be helpful.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Jack points are listed in the user manual of your vehicle.

[@firpofutbol]

@EXPLORISTlife It only lists the four lateral points not center points

[@millanferende6723]

This is great! And so easy! I always thought those metal shapes ) were the main suspension. Could you give us a little guide on what type of suspension to use? Depending on the weight of front and back of the vehicle? Thank you for this video!

[@johnclark3436]

How did you come to choose different brands for the front and rear? Bilstein (and probably Fox too) recommends using the same brand and series at all four corners.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

To my knowledge, fox doesn't make a strut for the front. This setup is what Agile offroad was recommending so we were trusting the pros.

[@bradyipock3338]

Thank you very much. I enjoy your videos, and they are very helpful for me. On occasion I do wish there was a bit more detailed explanation, such as how you used the ratchet strap to compress the rear shock. Other than that, y'all make great videos, and I'm watching all of them as I'm building out my sprinter.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Going forward we will make much more of an effort to make more detailed tutorials or to purchase the PROPER tools for the job. We, historically, have been under a time crunch to get this stuff done. You can see the style of the detail of our future videos in our last few most recent ones.

[@WeekendHandymen]

May want to double check the instructions on the rear shocks as some shocks don't handle well when mounted upside down like that (standard is for the fluid/gas filled metal body to typically mount on the bottom), although with other shocks it doesn't matter.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Good to know! Will check it out. The shocks didn't come with instructions, so didn't think much about it.

[@anthonyreich3515]

I have seen something called a sway bar. It looks like it ties wheels right and left. What do they do and at what point do you think that you would use one if at all?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

If your maintenance budget allows for one, we'd recommend one asap. Great for crosswinds or for when a big semi blows past you or something.

[@CavernCompany]

You guys rock. You should open a mechanic shop! ;)

[@mscriv33]

Great job! I didn't realize how easy those could be. Where is the video of you guys changing the oil? I saw it out, but now it is gone.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah super easy! It was a bit hidden, but I found it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3Kvc31nhZiLbcU

[@PauloMurteira_MassagemPro]

It's awesome to see your videos, the easiness that you do auto work, I love it. You're my Mechanical Heros :)

[@karlchiasson4946]

Glad to see you doing it yourself.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

It's kind of our thing. lol

[@nickburgess7840]

what size 4x4 tyres are you running on

[@johnlonappan7945]

Hello , do we need to do alignment check after the new structs replacement ? because of the top bolt tilting space ? I am planing to upgrade my 2009 Winnebago view 24J (Sprinter 3500 ) with Koni FSDs , hence checking ,thanks in advance

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yep! Sure do.

[@kfstreich4787]

Did you read the case on the fox shocks? A friend installed them in his pickup and they appeared to at least use bilstein cases if not made by bilstein

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We didn't look at them that close. But yeah, I'm not sure if fox buys bilstein cases.

[@Thedoctorlee999]

Hi there, great video thank you, I have just changed the front shockers on my sprinter, can you give any advice on how to set the camber angle, I noticed that you just fitted them on without any final adjustments, was it just a educated guess?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

You'll need to take it in to get a professional alignment after changing the shocks. Typically, that's a good time to do that anyway.

[@aberdeendeltaforce]

I didn’t see a rear anti roll bar on that sprinter, your van will sway all over the place without one?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Good thing we already sold it. 🤣😂 It was fine, though.

[@applejuice1juice151]

What size are the nuts that get undone ?? The Two at the bottom on the shock and the one in the cab ??? Let me know please

[@Riksturr7]

19mm for the two bottom and 13mm for 4 bolts holding the top mount from inside footwell area. The nut i believe is 24mm. I replaced mine the other day so i remember abit. I cant remember the allen key size that you use along with the 24mm spanner for the nut above the top mount

[@applejuice1juice151]

Salah Uddin thanks for the reply

[@francopurpura]

Hi!! I love your van. Your tires are 16 or 17 inch?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I think we went with 17".

[@JMcrandellIV]

You guys are great! Love your videos!

[@r.seaboats6666]

I think the rear ones R interchangeable with another car do you guys know what size they are ? I think in Mm

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The rear shocks are listed in the pinned comment.

[@tierradiaries9640]

Thanks so much for this! This look so much less intimidating than I thought it would be our mechanic wanted to charge $4,000 for this.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem. Happy to help!

[@bostoncopter2498]

Great Job.....

[@mikecolesvids]

Neat project and really enjoy watchin your vids, thanks! You guys ever driven up to AK?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Not in this van. We drove to AK in the RV we had before the van though and can't wait to go back!

[@lordexess]

The main picture is AWESOME. Greetings from Spain!

[@DnSAdventures]

Sweet! I bet that'll help quite a bit down some of those country back roads :) Have a good one guys - Shane

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Oh my gosh. I can't imagine. It already makes a difference going into an off camber parking lot. Haha! I can't wait to see what it does on those roads like at just outside of Mammoth.

[@paintgunexpress1949]

Love the video thanks.

[@DesignerAviaries]

ALMOST got a Sprinter but ended up in 2013, 3500 Chevy box truck with 12 foot Spartan box. Anyway, a guy I met with 2006? Sprinter said he had a U-Joint go bad and they would only offer to sell him entire drive shaft. Strange. He ended up taking a joint off old vette and getting it to fit. Unsure if he had any vibration. afterward. If his tale-of-woe was accurate I'd hate to spend $1,300? for a drive shaft if a U-joint went bad.

[@jbrous3602]

yall do great work work, but! adding an extra leaf on your leaf springs your shocks would not take a beating. a hell-wig stabilizer would spare the rest of the suspension from acid rock and roll incurred from wind, curbs, bumps and pot heads, oh i meant holes?😎

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah, that's in the plans. Too much sag, we agree.

[@ritabroils6190]

I know I need rear shocks, struts or whatever they are called on a '98 Oldsmobile Delta 88. I wish I would be able to physically do it myself. I think minor repairs auto/home and of home economics should be taught to high school students. 🙄😏🤗😆💛

[@marscan1]

Update; it appears that the 22-184245 are for the 3500 duallies

[@jameselrod7904]

Was that your truck camper??

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That's mom's truck camper.

[@jameselrod7904]

Adventure in a Backpack sweet thanx

[@MackenzieHorn]

Great video! Shocks (or struts) are only good for 100k really. If you want more control on the roads you can upgrade the sway bars. Bilstein warranties all units for normal use for the life of the unit...

[@carlossruilowacespedes596]

Guys are you doing a lift kit? If so do a DIY ALSO!!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We would love to! Budget won't allow for it this time around, but eventually for sure! :D :D

[@TimeToBeKind]

If you see the van rocking, please don’t come knocking.... we’re just checking our shocks performance for the next round.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Haha! Truth. Thanks for watching!

[@lsherrouse]

First!!!! It's about time

[@joeszeto310]

LOOOOVE your channel. Keep up the great work!!! But.... when installing your rear shocks, please tell me you didn't craw underneath with only the floor jack holding up the van. I saw the jack stand when you were doing the front so I know you had them. Floor jacks can and have collapsed, for various reasons. While I understand that this is not a "Mechanics 101" channel, certain safety precautions should still be practiced and preached. Just my 2 cents. Now go back out there and make more awesome videos!!!!

[@mmartin4978]

they didnt take the rear wheels off

[@EXPLORISTlife]

We were making minute adjustments to get the bottom of the shock to fit, so we needed to be able to adjust the jack on the fly without having to juggle a jackstand. Sure, there's an aspect of danger, but the wheels were still on so it's VERY minimal risk.

[@SeanReyes]

gyroscopic warbalization huh

[@vincentrolfe1384]

I've been through the original Sprinter shocks; KYB-better, front Bilsteins-poor and now going to go with Koni. Bilstein used to make the best all around but since they sold most of the BMW owners say na.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

How many degrees of undulated warbling were calculated between those shocks you tried?

[@vincentrolfe1384]

Oh, I had UW all over the place at 40K and up for each set of shocks with the KYB having less. I corrected a right front camber problem (as you can see from one of my vids) and that was a good bit of EATS (excessive attention to steering) required to keep Betsy on the straight and narrow on any road along with ETW (excessive tire wear). I had an 80 Buick Century Beige 4 door (andle milled heads, Hooker, Isky, Mallory, P6's) of which I put Bilsteins on after talking with the US Bilstein office about what else (stiffer) I could fit. I liked going around the raised highway in downtown Houston at high speeds. Then I took 4 friends out to FGIFriday's for lunch. You must understand that I had 300 pound rated rear shocks from a mobile vacation cruiser. One gal in the back said after 4 or 5 block as we sped along, "Vincent, why does this car make my BOOBS hurt!?" "most shocks for this car are rated at 118 lbs, these special order are 307 lbs, Carol", said I. Everyone was silent. I later printed for TGIF and consumed lots of London Broil in those days. I also printed for 80 Monterrey House Mex too.

[@henrikm4657]

Wrenching under the van without jack stands (when you put the rear shocks in) 😱 Are you trying to win the Darwin Awards? 😜

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey safety Steve! Feel free to use as many jack stands as you like when you attempt this project. The rest of the process remains the same.

[@IROCKID]

She is FINE

[@chrisfoss1212]

i would trade ALLLLLLLLL the fast forwarding and music id rather put on mute for more explanation, issues you ran into, blah blah. but whatever gets you votes and subscribers i guess.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Perhaps check out some of our newer videos? Much less music and much more information. We will be starting a new build in early 2022 and have learned a lot about making better videos since this old thing was published. Remember, this video making thing is a learning process. No need to make passive aggressive comments thinking that we do everything for 'votes and subscribers'.

[@mmartin4978]

shocking lol