What shocks are you using/skill level to change shocks
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
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From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
What shocks are you using/skill level to change shocks
Im thinking about changing the shocks on my 77. This will be a winter project. Just trying to get an idea of what shocks to replace with. Not looking for anything special...anything to watch out for with the front coils spring?
Now to the second part of the post, I would like to try to do this job myself. Anything special i need to know. Watch out for. Special tools... sersvice manual just says to remove bolts and reinstall bolts.
It sure looks simple.
Now to the second part of the post, I would like to try to do this job myself. Anything special i need to know. Watch out for. Special tools... sersvice manual just says to remove bolts and reinstall bolts.
It sure looks simple.
Last edited by ptroxx; Aug 30, 2007 at 09:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
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From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
It seems like an easy task. Do i do it with the tires on or off? Back rist then front?? one side or the other. I know i have to be cautious about jacking a C3 up. Any tips? For those of you that know me, Im kinda new here and limited on experiance so i only like to do things one time. So i ask a bunch of questions first this way im not half way in the job and i find out oh i needed that or ya know..
OK well im done.. Thanks for all the help you guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 967
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You can do it with tires on.
-
Jack car up and put it on jack stands.
-
Load suspension with jack.
-
Remove top nut and lower bolts and slide the shock out.
-
Reverse process for installation and repeat for other side.
-
Jack car up and put it on jack stands.
-
Load suspension with jack.
-
Remove top nut and lower bolts and slide the shock out.
-
Reverse process for installation and repeat for other side.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 967
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
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From: Seattle Wash.
Not sure if you look at the entire post. But like i said. The service manual only says raise vehicle. remove upper nut. remove 2 bolts. I was looking to see if there was something i was missing. Any tips,tricks,tools I needed.
It seems like an easy task. Do i do it with the tires on or off? Back rist then front?? one side or the other. I know i have to be cautious about jacking a C3 up. Any tips? For those of you that know me, Im kinda new here and limited on experiance so i only like to do things one time. So i ask a bunch of questions first this way im not half way in the job and i find out oh i needed that or ya know..
OK well im done.. Thanks for all the help you guys.
It seems like an easy task. Do i do it with the tires on or off? Back rist then front?? one side or the other. I know i have to be cautious about jacking a C3 up. Any tips? For those of you that know me, Im kinda new here and limited on experiance so i only like to do things one time. So i ask a bunch of questions first this way im not half way in the job and i find out oh i needed that or ya know..
OK well im done.. Thanks for all the help you guys.
2. For the rear, it's best if you remove the rear tires, it allows for better access and removal (See #3 below). You can leave the front tires on when you replace the shocks.
3. With the rear tires off, place a jack carefully under the T/A or rotor and raise it just enough to take any downward pressure on the shock mount. It makes it easier to remove the nut holding the shock on.
4. Raise the front of the car and remove the front shocks as directed in the Service manual. The fronts are much easier to do then the rears.
5. Make sure your torque the nuts to spec.
6. You're done!
Set the car down, drive and enjoy. 
I used Delco Gas shocks. Cost was about $120 - $130.00 for a set. Shop around, you may get a better price. Car rides very nice after I replaced my shocks a few months ago.
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Bilstein Shocks from VBP
I recommend Bilstein shocks for just about any street application. They provide a good firm ride and great control without shaking your teeth out.
There are around a gazillion different shocks available for your Vette – I know because I have tried about half of them over the years while working at VBP. I keep coming back to Bilstein. They cost a little more but you really do get what you pay for.
Here is a link to the shock app for your Vette:
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=920
And here is a link to Bilstein and their apps for you …
http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM
Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
800-237-9991
There are around a gazillion different shocks available for your Vette – I know because I have tried about half of them over the years while working at VBP. I keep coming back to Bilstein. They cost a little more but you really do get what you pay for.
Here is a link to the shock app for your Vette:
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=920
And here is a link to Bilstein and their apps for you …
http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM
Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
800-237-9991
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 1
From: Hunington Beach California
I recommend Bilstein shocks for just about any street application. They provide a good firm ride and great control without shaking your teeth out.
There are around a gazillion different shocks available for your Vette – I know because I have tried about half of them over the years while working at VBP. I keep coming back to Bilstein. They cost a little more but you really do get what you pay for.
Here is a link to the shock app for your Vette:
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=920
And here is a link to Bilstein and their apps for you …
http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM
Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
800-237-9991
There are around a gazillion different shocks available for your Vette – I know because I have tried about half of them over the years while working at VBP. I keep coming back to Bilstein. They cost a little more but you really do get what you pay for.
Here is a link to the shock app for your Vette:
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=920
And here is a link to Bilstein and their apps for you …
http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM
Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
800-237-9991
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Installing Bilsteins on a C3 is one of the best investments you'll make in your car, as long as you get the correct set for your purposes. However, if preset valving isn't quite your cup of tea, I'd step up to the Koni DA's if you can't swing coil-overs. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
with the KYB's and skill level. I'd rate changing shocks as about 4 beers ~ 1 per shock.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
I have a 77 L48 stock auto. Im really just into driving my car. Its a driver not my only car but i love to drive her. I live in an area with great winding roads the car handles great right now. I just think 30 year old shocks need to be changed. I am kinda on a budget so.
But I love all the input. I was just looking on VB&P and they have some cools stuff......Thanks again everyone for the input
=)
But I love all the input. I was just looking on VB&P and they have some cools stuff......Thanks again everyone for the input
=)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Buy some PB Blaster at any auto parts store and spray all of the nuts and bolts once a day for 2 or 3 days prior to changing the shocks. It will be a lot easier to remove the bolts after the PB works its magic for a couple of days.
Jacking the front of the car should be done with the jack at the point where the frame curves in just behind the front wheel well. DON'T JACK UP THE FRONT USING THE ENGINE CROSSMEMBER. It looks like a great place to put a jack and many Bubbas have used it but you will dent the h$ll out of the underside of the crossmember.
You don't have to worry about the front springs. The shocks are independent of them and are easily replaced.
Rick B.
Jacking the front of the car should be done with the jack at the point where the frame curves in just behind the front wheel well. DON'T JACK UP THE FRONT USING THE ENGINE CROSSMEMBER. It looks like a great place to put a jack and many Bubbas have used it but you will dent the h$ll out of the underside of the crossmember.
You don't have to worry about the front springs. The shocks are independent of them and are easily replaced.
Rick B.