Shock Install questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Shock Install questions
Got my Bilsteins this week and I might attempt the install this weekend. Any tips, traps or concerns when doing this or is it pretty straightforward? Good dose of PB blaster on the nuts and bolts?
ESU
ESU
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Installing the shocks should be pretty straight forward. I would recommend that when you do the rear shocks, remove the bolt on the topside or nearest to the trailing arm first, then remove the lower mounting bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Doing it that way will be a fight, the shock will keep pressure on the top bolt. Remove the bottom nut and push the bottom of the shock off first and then remove the top bolt, this is for the rears.
For the front then the top nut can come off first, really doesn't matter much. Of course you need the car off the suspension to do these.
For the front then the top nut can come off first, really doesn't matter much. Of course you need the car off the suspension to do these.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I did my shocks last month on my 72. It was very easy, and one of the few things that did not take longer than it should have.
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
The tires need to come off in the back.
You might be able to work around this with them on, but you will be glad you took them off to do the job later.
For the front, you do not need to take the tires off.
The top nut connection is in the engine compartment, so removal of the tires is not necessary.
kdf
You might be able to work around this with them on, but you will be glad you took them off to do the job later.
For the front, you do not need to take the tires off.
The top nut connection is in the engine compartment, so removal of the tires is not necessary.
kdf
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
Some say they got instructions i didn"t. in case you dont here"s where that extra washer goes. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...steins:thumbs:
Also seems i read on the front shock, tighten the upper nut last.
Also seems i read on the front shock, tighten the upper nut last.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
I did my shocks last month on my 72. It was very easy, and one of the few things that did not take longer than it should have.
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
this is by far the best $250 purchase I put on my Vette
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
I did my shocks last month on my 72. It was very easy, and one of the few things that did not take longer than it should have.
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
I jacked the rear end up, and took the tires off.
The rear shock had a bolt and nut on the upper side, and a bolt through the shock tower on the bottom end. I used a smaller jack under the bottom shock tower to help compress the shock and line up the holes after I replaced it. Everything was pretty straightforward.
For the front shocks, I raised the car up again, and then took the bottom 2 bolts off, then took the top bolt off of the shock shaft. I dont know if it would work any better the other way around, but this had no effect on both sides in doing it this way. Around 90 minutes later all 4 shocks were done, and I was on my way for an afternoon cruise.
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
All I have gotta say is good luck... I am changing the rear shocks right now and I had to get a grinder to grind the right side in half then i was able to move the shock at 180 degrees to cut the bolt bushings and everything.... took me about an hour and a half.... I guess thats what happens when the bolt and the inner shock ring pretty much freeze!
Now I guess I'll go outside and talke the left with the day light thats left!
Now I guess I'll go outside and talke the left with the day light thats left!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Lakewood Colorado
THe only possible addition is penetrating lube on the threads in the engine bay. I've accidently rounded the shaft before. You guys are probably Einsteins and already know that, but it might help.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Install Update!
Finished! Took about 2 hrs start to finish including policing up the old parts and putting away tools and a short test ride. Took the rear tires off, left front on. Only issue was installing the fronts by myself, a little difficult working from the bottom to get the shaft into the hole in the upper arm and then while holding it in place installing the bushing, washer and nut., then jack up the bottom of the shock in order to thread the bolts. Seems to ride a little higher?? Is that possible? I can tell you I definitely wouldnt want sports, these are firm enough. I was worried for a sec because the old shocks were gabriels that looked brand new. I thought maybe my ride problems werent shock related but a quick test ride put that thought to rest. Cant wait to take it for a nice hi way spin. Thx to all for the input especially dmaaero for the link about the extra washer. Highly recommended install and not that difficult.
ESU
ESU
