How To: Replace Front Shocks (95-05) Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari 2WD

How to replace front shock absorbers on a 1995-2005 Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari 2WD (NOT 4WD) van by a very unprofessional and unfunny man...

[@rockyling2000]

Ah man, this video was great! Great video quality, not shaky, great instruction, no annoying music, and of course cats. Thank you for making this.

[@natejones756]

Man I’m like 37 seconds into this video and already cracking up, gained another follower today sir. Thank you graciously, keep being you dude ✌️

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

Hey my friend, I like the way you used what you had to solve the problem of compressing the shock to install the bolts.... You do what you have to, to get things done! I replaced all 4 on my 2001 Astro last summer!

[@notcharles]

Nice job. Good trick with the long bolt! Not too sure a jack would have been much easier. If those are not metric bolts you should be able to purchase a foot of All Thread Rod which, after threading it in a bit, you can put another nut on it and bring it all the way up, put the correct bolt on the other hole, loosen the nut on the all thread and replace it with the factory bolt. I did this (and upper and lower control arm bushings, ball joint joints, springs - all the moving parts!) on a Chevy G-20 Van many years ago and was here boning up on the Astros 'cause I bought one and may want to do it one more time! BTW, when I got that work done (on a driveway with two jacks) and had it aligned with fresh tires . . . it was a dream ride! Well worth the money, time and effort!

[@noearias2006]

THAT IS A GOOD TRICK TO LIFT UP THE SHOCKS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEO

[@Paul-sh4on]

EXCELLENT VIDEO BROTHER ......CHEERS

[@gil.langlois2732]

My experience...I couldn't manage for preventing the shock's stem to turn with the Vise-Grip so...I went for the trick to breaking the stem at the top using a ratchet( only had a 3/8 " drive ratchet but it did work). Then, did put the new shock in place and did tighten the nut real good. Next, the other side...didn't even try to use the Vise- Grip went straight to breaking the stem with the ratchet. It took a lot longer for that one but made it. Then, did install the new shock and...never could manage to bolt it tight since I never could prevent the stem from turning...I didn't want to use the Vise-|Grip and damage the new stem.

[@Sleepydollheart]

Bolt the 2 bottom screws on and put the wheels back on n then tighten the top nut.

[@joshuafoster7772]

@@Sleepydollheart Uh?

[@rogeriorodriguez1212]

Thank you for making this video sir very helpful to me as an individual I have a year 2000 GMC Safari van 2 wheel drive I will never sell it because this car when it runs is very reliable

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

They're great vans for sure, I've sold a few to people from Juarez and they drive them to 300k miles and more

[@doughoover6635]

Good easy to understand video I'm going to tackle it tomorrow

[@kodibear3731]

This was the best how to video I've ever seen 😁 makes me feel confident in trying this myself 👌👌

[@lokolegend9369]

I’m in az doing this I feel your pain bro great video very helpful

[@fleetsider]

Cool😎......simple and to the point......thanks for posting.

[@manleeman5212]

youre the best jimmy jimjims

[@joselozada479]

Tank brother! You save me money!

[@cayetanoalbertomartinez5480]

Thanks You very much was extraordinary your work, until cdmx

[@DJSHaKa]

Good vid man! Thank you! Doing mine as we speak!

[@jesussepulvedamartinez8330]

Gracias, buen trabajo. Me gustó la explicación. Felicidades.

[@joshuafoster7772]

What?

[@bodeine454]

I've watched a couple videos of this so far and both times the top nut on the front shock is a problem to get off. There's a couple of flats on top of the shock rod/stud which can be held with a small wrench to keep it from turning. I'm thinking that using a hollow socket and ratchet for the nut while holding the shock rod/stud with a wrench would be easier than trying to hold the rod still with a pair of vice grips through the coil spring or just braking the top of the stud off with a socket and ratchet like in the other video. IDK, just a thought.

[@echosilva863]

Thank you soooo much Jimmy!! You explain everything so well and make things easy for even a girl like me. PS you forgot to say what you do with the brake cleaner?!

[@hayneshvac2]

you can also position a jackstand beneath the shock and lower the van carefully.

[@wallacenay9316]

Use wood planks for leverage to compress the shock

[@BigKahuna_outdoors]

Just did mine yesterday 2000 Astro shocks were blown out. I used the jack that came with the van.

[@meglioeducation]

Great job!

[@thebreadcolonist]

I subscribed against my better judgment. Must be the beer

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

If you can't get the vice grips on the shaft or don't have any, just break off the top stud by putting the 15mm deep socket on it and your 1/2" ratchet on top, rock the ratchet up and down as far as you can each way and the stud will fatigue and break off so you don't have to mess with that top nut!

[@BigKahuna_outdoors]

We were able to get vise grip on both sides.

[@drphildixon7965]

Or use a torch and cutting it off

[@MrMuddinmatt]

Good morning everyone, I'm still trying to get the top nut off on the front shocks lol. Hopefully it'll work out right this morning

[@josea3693]

Subscibed👍🏼 Love your video. For sure lot of work and time editing. You got my weakness astro vans. 🤪 Watch out Chrisfix😆.

[@Sleepydollheart]

That freaken cat is huge, I thought u were gonna get mold by BLACK PANTHER!!!!!

[@joshuafoster7772]

What?

[@rickybearden4575]

good shade tree mechanic job that's how I did it a mechanic wanted to charge me $255.00 for a 3 hour minimum took me w0 minutes to fix it I did it the same way you did!!!

[@Experiment626XxX]

Do they have to be torque to a spec or just as tight as you can by hand?

[@MrMuddinmatt]

I'll never ever work on those shocks again lol. What a pain in the cheeks getting the passenger side nuts off. There was 2 nuts on the top of front shocks .not sure why but it didn't make it any easier lol. 98 Chevy astro van rear wheel drive that I'm working on.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

I'm about to do this on my 2001, and did it years ago on my '96. I doubt that mine will turn into a cat video, though...

[@gil.langlois2732]

Do you use the Vise-Grip again on the new shock's stem to prevent it to turn when you bolt it tight|?

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

Nope, I didn't have to use them again. The new shocks have pressure to stop them from turning

[@latinoheat210]

@@jimmyjimjims7483 didn't work on my shocks tho?

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

@@latinoheat210 The new shocks should have pressure behind them and be unable to turn by hand, that means they could be bad out of the box or have low pressure

[@isaacb4955]

Subbed just cause I’m a contrarian

[@joshuafoster7772]

What? Huh?

[@Callmechapo4919]

Thank you

[@joshuafoster7772]

11:30 HAHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHEHEHE! LOL! XD! :D! :)!

[@reyconcepcion134]

Just put the tire back on and the shock will be compressed