Once you've installed a three-inch lift for your automobile, you'll naturally have to install a shock mount plate or extension bracket to your mount for good measure.
This plate is necessary because the rear axle will rotate a bit, causing the lower spring perch to get into contact with your shock absorber. This wears your shocks down unless you can separate the two with the plate.
Automotive DIY: Shock Mount Plate
Your shocks can get a huge dent from the three-inch lift as you travel on the trail, necessitating extra armor or padding in the form of the shock mount plate. To install this plate is moderately difficult. Don't attempt if you're an amateur.
- Tools and Parts Needed: You'll need sockets and wrenches such as the 13 to 18 millimeter as well as ¾-inch and 9/16-inch variants. You'll also need white lithium grease, bench vise or c-clamp, long and short ratchet extensions, ratchet, and shock mount plate kit. As for your car, park it on level ground and engage the parking break.
- Rear Shock Removal: Use your 15-millimeter or 18-millimeter socket and wrench in order to remove your rear socks by unscrewing the axle bolt. Meanwhile, the 13-millimeter socket and wrench plus long ratchet extension is enough to deal with the upper bolts bolted unto the frame cross member.
- Metal Bushing Sleeves: Get the two metal bushing sleeves from your kit, apply white lithium grease on them internally then insert them into the metal sleeves as far as possible. Acquire the bench vise or C-clamp and use it to press the metal sleeve into the bushing. This will enable you to attach the shock mount plate unto your car without it being loose, misaligned, or detached.
- Shock Mount Plate Installation: Climb the rear passage side of your car then attach the plate to the factory axle mount with the nylock nut, grade-8 bolt, and washers found on the kit. Use your socket with a 9/16-inch socket with a short extension and wrench to fasten the nuts and bolts from an awkward angle. Put the old shock bolts to the middle holes of the plate and through the factory axle mount.
- Tightening and Finishing Up: Use 23 ft. lbs. of torque to tighten the bolts and attach the mount to the frame cross member. On the shock's bottom end, make sure the grade-8 washers are between the new shock metal plate and the shock bushing. Tighten up the original factory nut and for securing the plate to the mount with your 15-millimeter and 18-millimeter socket and wrench. Use the ¾-inch socket and wrench for the shock mount bolt and the nylock nut with a 74 ft. lbs. torque. Do the same with the car's driver side shock absorbers.