Going to do Shocks this Weekend
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
Going to do Shocks this Weekend
Ok, so this is gonna be my first time doing all my shocks on my 79' and doing the front springs. now i know u should probably have a spring compressor so i bought one of those and have 4 Sensa-Trac shocks from Napa and stock springs. now is there anything special i should do? like soak the bolts in PB Blaster or maybe get new bolts? Treat these questions as if a semi-intelligent person were asking them and give full responses please if you can, that would give me a great deal of comfort in doing this job. BTW how long does it usually take to do the rear shocks? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
You don't need a spring compressor to replace shocks, still it's a handy tool to have. Jack the car up, place on stands. Jack the wheel up, leaving access to lower bolts. Remove shocks. Assembly is reverse.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
can u slide the shock out through the bottom? that would be helpful to do it that way instead of having to take the shock and spring out at the same time. Has anyone done anything custom like painting their shocks red so they match the exterior?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,198
Likes: 0
From: Boone NC home of 3peat National Champs ASU Mountaineers
St. Jude Contributor
They slide out easily. I can't see my shocks there fore I didn't paint mine. I used KYB g2's on my 79. Well worth the investment.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach CA
Originally Posted by EVIL_GRIM
can u slide the shock out through the bottom? that would be helpful to do it that way instead of having to take the shock and spring out at the same time. Has anyone done anything custom like painting their shocks red so they match the exterior?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
Removal of the front springs is not necessary to get the front shocks out. Put away your spring compressor. On the front you will need to use two wrenches at the top to unfasten the shock: one to hold the shaft of the shock from turning and one to lossen the attachment nut. Then remove the top half of the rubber mounting (the washer and rubber). Go below and unfasten the two bolts holding the bottom shock mount in and the shock will fall out. To install, simply reverse the process.
On the rear shocks it's simply a matter of disconnecting the upper mounting bolt and removing it; the bottom requires removal of the large nut and then you can slide the shock off the mount. Copious amouts of PB Blaster will work wonders, and you may still need a hammer to remove the rear shock from it's lower mount. It all depends on how long they've been together. If everything disconnects easily, you can do this in under two hours. Please support the car safely on jack stands before crawling under!
Steve
On the rear shocks it's simply a matter of disconnecting the upper mounting bolt and removing it; the bottom requires removal of the large nut and then you can slide the shock off the mount. Copious amouts of PB Blaster will work wonders, and you may still need a hammer to remove the rear shock from it's lower mount. It all depends on how long they've been together. If everything disconnects easily, you can do this in under two hours. Please support the car safely on jack stands before crawling under!
Steve
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,930
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by EVIL_GRIM
can u slide the shock out through the bottom? that would be helpful to do it that way instead of having to take the shock and spring out at the same time. Has anyone done anything custom like painting their shocks red so they match the exterior?
The shock, once unbolted should drop out the bottom.
Mine's a little dirty and I don't even drive in the rain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I replaced my shocks about a year ago. 6 months later I was cleaning up/ painting the rear and the shocks were already starting to rust. Since I had them off the car, I decided to remove the cheap paint they had on. I painted them with a couple of coats of POR-15, sanded smooth, and top coated with silver lacquer, sanded again, and finally polished.
If you want them to look like the ones your taking off in a year or two, then leave them alone. If you're expecting them to look good for many years, then spend the time now to paint them.
If you want them to look like the ones your taking off in a year or two, then leave them alone. If you're expecting them to look good for many years, then spend the time now to paint them.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
It sounds like EVIL_GRIM is changing the shocks AND springs, so he needs some advice on how to remove the springs. I won't recommend the way we did it because of the Bubba factor, but maybe someone else can advise him how to do it without injuring himself.
Rick B.
Rick B.