Rear shock replacement 2014 E-350 Sedan Base
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2014 E350
Rear shock replacement 2014 E-350 Sedan Base
I should have taken pictures but didn't think of it at the time. I searched high and low for information and videos but to no avail (I guess it is supposed to be secret).
First thing to know is that there is a shock mount on the rear shocks that is attached to a very traditional looking shock absorber. The shock mount has two bolts per side that protrude into the trunk behind the trunk liner. Search YouTube to see how to pull down the trunk liner.
Work one side of the car at a time. loosen the shock top mount screws but leave in place. Jack up and remove the rear wheel. Remove the plastic suspension cover (easy to see how). Support the suspension with a jack and remove the lower shock bolt. I chose to remove the sway bar link to give me more room (easy) but not sure you have to. Loosen and remove the lower shock mount bolt. Loosen the plastic bolts holding the fender liner in place (don't remove the liner). Now remove the top two bolts to the shock. Remove the Jack supporting the suspension. Reach up behind the fender liner with both hands and grasp the top shock mount and pull down and compress until you can get the shock mount out from behind the fender liner. Now you can wiggle the shock out.
You will need one of two types of tools to get the shock mount off in order to move to the new shock because it is on tight and the shock absorber shaft will turn if using normal hand tools:
Impact wrench with 17mm socket thin wall will work best or
A pass through socket and ratchet set that will allow you to use an allen key to hold the shock shaft stationary while loosening
Once you have completed the transfer of the shock mount, use long zip ties to keep the new shock in the compressed position for installion. Once in place cut the zip ties and remove them. You may need to use the Jack to raise the suspension slightly to get the bottom shock bolt in place.
First shock took 45 minutes to figure things out, the second took 15 minutes. Bilstein shocks cost $200 for the pair vs. The unsolicited quote I got from Firestone was $1400. Car has 76,000 miles and is less bouncy in the rear now. Hope this helps you DIY guys.
First thing to know is that there is a shock mount on the rear shocks that is attached to a very traditional looking shock absorber. The shock mount has two bolts per side that protrude into the trunk behind the trunk liner. Search YouTube to see how to pull down the trunk liner.
Work one side of the car at a time. loosen the shock top mount screws but leave in place. Jack up and remove the rear wheel. Remove the plastic suspension cover (easy to see how). Support the suspension with a jack and remove the lower shock bolt. I chose to remove the sway bar link to give me more room (easy) but not sure you have to. Loosen and remove the lower shock mount bolt. Loosen the plastic bolts holding the fender liner in place (don't remove the liner). Now remove the top two bolts to the shock. Remove the Jack supporting the suspension. Reach up behind the fender liner with both hands and grasp the top shock mount and pull down and compress until you can get the shock mount out from behind the fender liner. Now you can wiggle the shock out.
You will need one of two types of tools to get the shock mount off in order to move to the new shock because it is on tight and the shock absorber shaft will turn if using normal hand tools:
Impact wrench with 17mm socket thin wall will work best or
A pass through socket and ratchet set that will allow you to use an allen key to hold the shock shaft stationary while loosening
Once you have completed the transfer of the shock mount, use long zip ties to keep the new shock in the compressed position for installion. Once in place cut the zip ties and remove them. You may need to use the Jack to raise the suspension slightly to get the bottom shock bolt in place.
First shock took 45 minutes to figure things out, the second took 15 minutes. Bilstein shocks cost $200 for the pair vs. The unsolicited quote I got from Firestone was $1400. Car has 76,000 miles and is less bouncy in the rear now. Hope this helps you DIY guys.
Last edited by bumparker; May 18, 2019 at 05:43 PM.
