TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler
Elka Suspension Reservoir Shocks

November 9, 2010 Cindy Jeep JK Write-Ups, Steering & Suspension 3



Elka Suspension, a long time manufacturer of performance ATV products has recently turned their sights onto the Jeep JK Wrangler and, with the help of TeraFlex, has developed a high quality reservoir shock made specifically for it. And, after running them for a few months now, here’s what I can tell you about them. Right out of the box, you can see that TeraFlex Elka Suspension Reservoir Shocks are made out of high quality materials and are constructed with great attention to detail. On pavement, these shocks offer a firm ride and if anything, I would have to say that they offer a sports car like feel. Of course, where these shocks really do well is off-road as they do a good job of eating up ruts and good sized whoops at high speeds. On the rocks, they also do a good job of providing a nice stable crawl with minimal body roll.

While these TeraFlex Elka Suspension Reservoir Shocks aren’t cheap, I would have to say that you do get what you pay for if you spend most of your time driving fast in the desert. To see just how easy it is to install a set of these shocks on your Jeep, check out the installation write-up below.

What you will need

• 16,18mm Socket & Wrench
• 5/8,11/16″ Wrench
• Ratchet
• Torque Wrench
• Flathead Screwdriver

Features

• CNC-machined Aerospace-grade billet aluminum
• High and low speed valving
• Premium quality triple sealed housing
• Aluminum remote reservoir with floating piston
• Oversized valve passages
• Oversized High-flow steel braided fluid hose
• Nitrogen charged
• TeraFlex JK Specific Performance Tuned
• Hard-anodized main piston for greater longevity
• Progressive micro cellular urethane shock bumpstop
• Every unit is hand assembled and dynamometer tested for maximum quality and performance
• Appropriate rebound speed for the spring rate
• Reduced high-speed body roll when cornering
• Less front-end diving when braking
• Improved control over whoops and obstacles
• Smooth weight transfer during stroke cycle 
   
This is a shot of what all you will get with your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension Reservoir Shocks.

Front Installation Instructions
If you are installing your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks as a direct replacement and not part of a new suspension lift, it will not be necessary to jack up your Jeep JK Wrangler or even remove your tires. Up front, all you need to do is turn your tires all the way out to one side to gain more than enough access.
1. Using a 16mm or 5/8″ wrench, hold your Jeep JK Wrangler’s shock can in place just below the upper shock mount to keep it from spinning. Then, remove the stud mount nut above using a 16mm wrench. 2. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s front shocks to the lower axle mount. Remove shock from your Jeep. 3. Take your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension front shocks, remove the nut, large washer and upper bushing off the stud as shown in this pic.
4. Insert the TeraFlex Elka Suspension front shock up through your Jeep JK Wrangler’s shock tower, place the upper bushing onto the stud followed by the large washer and then secure everything in place with the provided nut. 5. Firmly holding the shock can with one hand, use an 11/16″ wrench to tighten down the stud mount nut. Keep tightening the nut until the bushings bulge just a bit. 6. The TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks are gas charged and it will take a great deal of effort to compress them enough to get them into your axle mounts. Once they’re in, use a flathead screwdriver to help prop it up enough for you to slip the factory mounting bolt through as shown.
7. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, secure your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension front shocks to your Jeep JK Wrangler’s axle mount using the factory hardware and tighten the nut and bolt to 56 ft. lbs. of torque.

Rear Installation Instructions
8. Using a 16mm socket and a 6″-12″ ratchet drive extension, remove your Jeep JK Wrangler’s 2 upper rear shock mount bolts.
9. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt and nut securing your Jeep JK Wrangler’s rear shocks to the lower axle mounts. Remove the shocks from your Jeep.
10. Using a 16mm socket and a ratchet extension, install your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension shocks on to the rear upper mounts on your Jeep JK Wrangler using the factory hardware. Tighten these bolts to 37 ft. lbs. of torque. 11. As before, the TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks will take a great deal of effort to compress them enough to get them into your axle mounts. Once they’re in, use a flathead screwdriver to help prop it up enough for you to slip the factory mounting bolt through as shown. 12. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, install your new TeraFlex Elka Suspension rear shocks onto your Jeep JK Wrangler’s lower axle mounts using the factory hardware. Tighten these bolts to 56 ft. lbs. of torque.

Installed Photos
Here’s what the TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks look like installed on the front of your Jeep JK Wrangler.
And, here’s what they look like installed on the rear of your Jeep JK Wrangler.
More pics of the TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks and install photos can be found here:TeraFlex Elka Suspension Shocks Photo Gallery

That’s all there is to it – now go out and have some fun!! Please let me know if you have any questions.

3 Comments

  1. how did you compress the shocks. I need new shocks on my Xj and i was told ill need a special machine to do it my self. I dont wanna spend a fortune on labor paying someone if i can do it on my own.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*