Since it was warm out today (40 F) I decided to install the new shocks I bought after the dealer told me they were leaking during a recent visit there. I knew they weren't the best as especially the right side one had a clunk going over bumps.
Everything went without a hitch - a little over and hour from getting out the tools to closing up the back hatch when all done.
Nice to see something go easy for once. Murphy's Law beats up on me regularly. Also nice to see my MPG's starting to creep back up. It's been a looooong cold winter.
As a side note, I had watched a couple of YouTube videos about replacing these shocks. I was amused when the one showed the one girl mechanic forgetting to put the metal washer on before the rubber bumper on the top of the shock. I wonder if she figured it out later when she had left over parts?

 

What brand and model shocks did you buy? I just bought a set of KYB 344356 Excel-G shocks and had so many issues I did not install them. The rubber bushings (on the bottom end of the shock) would not come off of the old original shocks and the KYB did not come with them; just the 2 rubber bushings for the stem. Even then, the original stem bushing for the lower half of the stem has a "nipple" that protrudes into the frame where the upper half of the stem is fastened with a larger bushing and washer+nut unit. The original bushings and nuts were not threaded the same as the new KYB shocks. So, I reinstalled the old shocks and am looking for answers.

 

Nope, sorry, I don't remember what kind I put in.

 

I have an 05 FEH as well. I just put in rear shocks yesterday. I got the same KYB 344356's. Mine came with new washers, bushings and nuts on the top. I reused the bolt and nut on the bottom.

Anyway, I saw the torque spec on the top mounting bolts was 13 ft lbs (via Autozone's repair docs as well as my Haynes). Is this accurate? It seems like it's not tight enough. The bushings are barely compressed and I had my wife drive while I felt the upper mount posts for movement. It seemed like it was moving more than it should.

I did have a clunk in the passenger side rear before I replaced them which is very much reduced since I replaced the shocks. I will have to look into the other rear suspension parts to see if there's anything else.

FYI: I never replaced rear shocks like this before, so I'm not real comfortable with the result.

 

I replaced the rear shocks on my 06. The only difficulty was having to reach through and lift the shock up through the chassis and at the same time get the top nut threaded on. My arms were at their extreme reach...

Getting the OEM shocks off was interesting. The nut was very difficult and the flats on the stem made it tedious.

Like you said, All in all, not too bad.

 

I was ready to purchase the KYB 349101 Excel-G Shock Absorber until I read this thread. Should I look for something else for my FEH 08? Thank you.

 

Any experience or comments on the Monroe Sensa-Track P/N 37318? I am trying to decide between the Monroe above or the KYB 349101. I have seen some posts that teh KYB does not fit exactly in terms of top washers/spacers/nuts. Thanks.

 

If you're nervous about KYB for some reason, just get OEM Motorcraft, almost every online parts warehouse stocks them. Not a good idea to get Monroes unless you don't mind taking them up on their 'warranty'