czardali

I attempted to put my rear shocks on my 1980 and had a hard time getting the top bolt off. Once I took the bolt off the shock decompressed and the control arm sunk down. well now im trying to put the shock back in and im having a hell of a time alighing the bolt back up. is there a trick to it such as jacking up the arm? Thanks in advance!

Alan 71

Hi cz,
Yes, raising the t-arm reduces the angle between the upper and lower shock mounts and will make it easier to install the upper shock bolt.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

haydenray

I used a screw jack under the lower shock mount to adjust and hold the shock in the right position. Hope it helps.

Ray

mk's78

Easy Mike

Assembly line trivia: the frame was upside down laying on its back when suspension components were installed. The T-arms were relaxed. Made things easier for the frame line folks.

haydenray

Another trick that worked for me was to use a 3 point gear puller to remove the shock bolt. A lot of leverage in an awkward space.

Ray

drkness01

I had the same issue on my 76.

I put the entire rear end up on jackstands and then used my jack to raise the control arm. Jackstands are cheap and NO home mechanic should be without them.

tyancey00

Put the top bolt in first. then you can maneuver the bottom on much easier...

czardali

thank you brotha it worked!

czardali

hell yea it worked out fine! i had to jack up the other side

czardali

amen a thousand times. i have a 2 ton jack and im waiting till i get my window fixed to justify buying a $100 jack