Tutorial Sponsor
Tools Required for the Job
Perform at your own risk!
The information for this tutorial is based on my own experiences. It is meant to be working
instructions for the DIY'er attempting to perform this job at home. These instructions are how I
performed this procedure. I take no personal responsibility for any damage you may incur by
following these instructions.
Secure vehicle on jack stands. Always use jack stands when
working under the vehicle.
)
Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Remove the rear wheels.
Time required to complete the job: ~ 2.5 hours
You must get a proper alignment immediately after installation of the new shocks. Failure to do
so will result in excessive tire wear and safety issues.
Using a T30 Torx bit and 15mm wrench, remove lower endlink
nut and disconnect endlink from the sway bar. Move the
endlink off to the side. It is only necessary to remove one
endlink (either the driver or passenger side). This just allows
the control arms to move independently of each other.
)
Remove the bolt and nut that holds the lower control arm to the
knuckle. Pull the knuckle out of the control arm. Save the bolt
and nut, they will need to be reused.
)
Remove the bolt and nut that holds the shock assembly to the
lower control arm. Save the bolt and nut, they will need to be
reused.
Using a pry bar in the end of the control arm where the knuckle
connects, pry down on the control arm while using a large
screwdriver or pry bar to detach the shock assembly from the
lower control arm.
Caution: Keep your hand and fingers out of this area
identified in the photo. When the shock assembly pops out
of the control arm it creates a pinch point between the
shock and the knuckle.
)
)
)
)
Where applicable use a 15mm socket with or without an
extension, or a 15mm wrench to remove the four bolts that hold
the shock mount to the body. Remove the shock assembly
from the vehicle.
)
)
)
)
)
)
Using a spring compressor, compress the spring to remove the
tension from the shock mount. Caution: Follow applicable
spring compressor safety instructions
Use a 6mm allen wrench in the end of the shock shaft to keep it
from turning. With the shaft secure use an 18mm wrench to
remove the shock mount nut.
Remove the components of the shock mount noting the
orientation and order of the components. You will need to
reassemble the shock mount and components on the new
Pedders shock. You can put the stock shock and spring off to
the side as these will not be needed any further.
)
)
Measure 13mm back from the spring seat step and place a
mark.
Measure 25mm up from the spring seat and place a mark.
Drill a hole using an 11/32” drill bit.
Using a rat tail file, smooth the hole to eliminate any shape
edges.
Using the supplied allen wrench, remove the end of the adjuster
knob extender and insert it through the hole. Reattach the knob
once inserted throught the hole.
Remove the lower shock mount from the shock body, remove
all locking rings and the spring seat. Place all the components
to the side. .
Place the underside mount washer on the shock in the same
orientation it was in when removed. Install the shock body into
the shock mount. Using the supplied allen key, attach the
adjuster extender to the adjuster knob on the shock.
Place the upper mount washer on the shock in the same
orientation it was in when removed. Install the new shock to
shock mount nut supplied by Pedders. Ensure the adjuster
extender is centered in the hole and tighten the shock to shock
mount nut. The shock shaft is knoched so a wrench can be
used to hold the shaft while tightening the nut. Torque the nut
to 33ft-lbs.
Refer to Pedders instructions on modifing the shock mount for
additional information and photos.
)
)
)
)
)
)
The height is measured from the lower lip of the wheel through
the center of the wheel up to the fender lip.
With the shock body attached to the mount continue to
reassemble the shock components.
Install the spring ensuring that it is properly aligned on the
shock mount.
Install the plastic spring seat, spring adjuster ring, and two
locking ring.
Finally, install the lower shock mount.
Adjust the spring adjuster ring until it is just touching the spring.
There should be no load on the spring at this time.
Using a metric tape measure, measure between the shock
mount and the plastic spring seat and note the “no load” value.
Ensure you measure from the same place when taking your
preload measurement.
Preload the spring ~5mm using the supplied spanner wrench.
Once you have the spring preloaded, screw the locking nut into
place and tighten. I preloaded the spring 6mm’s.
Adjusting Ride Height
Using a digital caliper or tape measure, measure between the
spring locking ring and the lower shock mount locking ring to
acheve the ride height your looking for.
40mm = approximately a 600mm ride height.
Screw the bottom shock mount up against the shock mount
locking ring. Ensure that the lower shock mount is in the proper
position to be reinstalled in the lower control arm. Once its
properly aligned, tighten the locking ring against the lower
shock mount. Remeasure between the locking rings to ensure
you are at your desired ride height. Adjust as necessary.
Install the shock assembly in reverse order. Torque to the
following settings.
Stock mount to body bolts = 43ft-lbs
Shock to lower control arm bolt = 30ft-lbs + 120 degrees. Use
blue loctite on threads
Lower control arm at knuckle assembly = 30ft-lbs + 120
degrees. Use blue loctite on threads
Sway bar endlink nut(s) = 37ft-lbs
)
)
)
)
)
)
Setting up the Pedders Xa Rear Coilover Prior to Installation
