The shock absorbers on a Chevrolet S-10 control and dampen the up and down travel of the suspension, which helps control ride quality and also with braking and contact with the road. When the shocks wear out, it becomes difficult to control the truck over bumps, and you could potentially get into an accident. To fix the problem, if you notice ride quality starting to dip, then you should replace the shocks on the truck as soon as possible.
Lift all four wheels of the truck off the ground with the jack and put the truck on jack stands. Remove all four wheels with the tire iron.
Unbolt the top of the front shock from the frame using the pliers and an open-end wrench. Unbolt the bottom bolts on the shock from the lower control arm using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then pull the shock out through the bottom of the arm.
Install the replacement shock up through the lower control arm and loosely tighten the top shock bolt into the frame by hand. Install the bottom of the shock to the lower control arm with the ratchet, then tighten up the upper shock bolt with the pliers and an open-end wrench.
Unbolt the upper shock bolt from the frame using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench.
Unbolt the lower shock mount from the axle with the wrench and ratchet. Pull the shock off of the frame and axle with your hands.
Install the replacement shock on the frame mount with the ratchet. Extend the shock and mount it to the axle with the ratchet and an open-end wrench.
Reinstall the wheels with the tire iron and lower the truck off the jack stands with the jack.
