new shocks won't fit...help!

[MtPaul401]

I got some new shocks for my F350, Monroe Relfex. Took off one of the front ones, tried to get the new one in, no go! They won't fit inside the brackets. I measured inside the bracket, it's at 1.4, the shock is 1.486. All the sources I checked showed this as the correct shock. How do I install it, can they be forced in?an I do?

It looks like the metal shank that runs through it may be too long, but it's hard to get a good measure on that.
Help!
Thanks!

[MtPaul401]

The back ones measure narrow as well....what the heck?

[PWRStroked]

get the grinder out. assuming they are the correct length and have the appropriate travel, just take a tenth of an inch off the sleeve with the grinder.

[MtPaul401]

I had thought about that, but was worried about tearing up the rubber. Can those sleeves be pushed out so I don't tear up the rubber?

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by MtPaul401

I had thought about that, but was worried about tearing up the rubber. Can those sleeves be pushed out so I don't tear up the rubber?

This is what I would do, take a pry bar and make the spot a little wider. If you can't go wide enough like that. Then push the bushing out and grind down the shock. Then with some wd40 install the bushing and then install the shock.

[Stroked7.3]

Agree! A tenth of an inch isnt very much try bending the stock mount a tad first probably got bent in too much from the last shock install.

Originally Posted by Stroked7.3

Agree! A tenth of an inch isnt very much try bending the stock mount a tad first probably got bent in too much from the last shock install.

I agree also

[MtPaul401]

I took my crow bar and reefed on both front brackets, new shocks popped right in, had all 4 plus a new stabilizer installed in about 45 minutes. Rides like a different truck!
Those old shocks were totally shot, rusted, bushings coming apart, no compression. They were still fully compressed an hour after being removed. Now I discovered I need to replace the bolts, the back ones show some significant wear, I'll do all 4. Can I get those at Napa or do I need to go through Ford?
I didn't put boots on the shocks or stabilizer, are those necessary?

Thanks for all the help, as usual on this forum!