How do you get to this shock bolt on an 01 Crown Vic?

[Stephen Soulsby]

On the rear shocks, the upper bolt seems imposible to get to. Is there a trick or hidden door? It's an 01 Crown Vic LX HPP.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

On the rear shocks, the upper bolt seems imposible to get to. Is there a trick or hidden door? It's an 01 Crown Vic LX HPP.
Do a search at the Crownvic.net forum. It's got a few questions about this. I've done it once to get my Bilsteins in and dread when I have to do it again. There should be a link to some instructions. I did it by using a long open end wrench on the top side. To get a good grip I had to grind the shock shaft flat on two sides with a Dremel tool and used a vise grip. There is another way but I forgot how they did it. Pretty much once you start the project, you better get it off or you'll have a weakened shock. I asked the dealer how much it would be to have the shocks replaced and they said about $100 each side. I took the 2 or so hours to turn a wrench about an inch at a time and kept the money in my pocket. Pain in the butt to get to but once you replace the shocks with a better one, it'll be worth it.

I just found a site I used for a reference. Here it is:

http://www.crownvic.net/liquid/bils.html

Have fun!!! :D

[Mike Poore]

On the rear shocks, the upper bolt seems imposible to get to. Is there a trick or hidden door? It's an 01 Crown Vic LX HPP.
I ordered an 18mm x 3/8 drive mid-length socket from Sears. Regular was too short, and deep well was too long. Also, since there's a bolt head on the underside on some of them, you might be able to drop a box wrench in from the top, then use an open end and turn it from below. Also, look for a hole in the trunk, covered with a rubber plug, just over the bolt head. Good luck, wear gloves.

[Stephen Soulsby]

I ordered an 18mm x 3/8 drive mid-length socket from Sears. Regular was too short, and deep well was too long. Also, since there's a bolt head on the underside on some of them, you might be able to drop a box wrench in from the top, then use an open end and turn it from below. Also, look for a hole in the trunk, covered with a rubber plug, just over the bolt head. Good luck, wear gloves.

Thanks for the help. I just decided to have a local shop do them for me. I was charged $80 labor (1.3 estimated hours for both sides). The car rides so much better now! I was so happy to have it done, I didn't even ask how he did it. But he did write a few choice words on the work order sheet (which I found hilarious).

[RoyLPita]

My '92 needs rear shocks too. I did the front shock on a 1995 CV. Oh, what fun.......NOT!!!!

[JohnE]

I lifted the right rear body off the frame by 1 1/2 inches. Others have cut holes in the top of the trunk to get to the top bolts. However 2003+ Panthers have the shocks moved to the outside and are much easier to get to.

CVN Shock Changing Post (http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB23&Number=465227)

Biltstien Shocks by Mitch (http://www.****zot.com/suspension.htm)

John

[JAM]

I had fits with the left rear upper bolt due to the air lines, but finally got it loose using needle nose vice grips attached to a ratchet wrench for leverage. Installation was tedious, but was not much of a problem.

Heard later that removing the air spring provided ample access, & that local PepBoys was installing them for $15.

JAM

[ahess77]

Others have cut holes in the top of the trunk to get to the top bolts.
John

I did this on my 99 CV since I changed every 30k miles, but be very careful not to get into the fuel lines. Marauder is MUCH easier to change.