Installing shocks
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 66
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Installing shocks
How hard is to to install front and rear shocks on my '72 SB with A/C and PS? Just shocks. Any special tools needed?
I have floor jack, stands but no lift. Any helpful directions, steps, hints will be greatly appreciated.
I have floor jack, stands but no lift. Any helpful directions, steps, hints will be greatly appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 18
From: Monrovia Md
Its not hard at all. Basically it is one bolt on the top and the bottom of the shock. The bolt on the lower shock mount will most likely be frozen. Lots of penetrating oil and patience so you don't break the mount. That is a little harder to replace.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
Very straightforward job. For the fronts you might need a special shock wrench to grab the upper portion of the shock to get the upper nuts off. NAPA or FLAPS carries those. Then remove the bottom two bolts and they drop out. Besides that maybe some PB Blaster or your favorite penetrating oil for the rear nuts if they are rusted. Sometimes the metal sleeve inside the shock's rubber bushing can get rusted to the lower shock mount but you can work that off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 423
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The rears could be more "fun" and the top mounting is a curious nut and bolt that needs to be both ends. The "inner" end is against the inner wheel arch. As said, it can be seized. At the the lower end the shock buish can be tight on the bracket that it fits to. Go in first with a lot of penetrating oil and then go back a day later!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
On mine, there is very limited space to remove the nut on the top of the front shocks. The alternator is on one side and the A/C compressor is on the other. Use lots of penetrating oil and let it soak at least overnight. Special tools can be your friends. Vice Grips on my front shocks almost cost me my sanity. Frustrating job. The back ones were a breeze after an overnight soaking. Ten minutes per side after the wheels were off. I just put a set of Bilsteins on my '80. What a difference!
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Litchfield CT
shock removal
Grab the END of the upper shock stud with vice grips. I think a 7/16 wrence will work, but the stud ALWAYS rounds off if you use a wrench to remove it. Use vice grips.
Take the nut off, if it turns on the stud. If not, use a hacksaw or sawzall to cut the NUT, not the stud.
Once you get the upper nut off the stud, remove the bottom two bolts.
The shock now flops down and whacks you in the head.
When re-installing, loosely secure the upper mount first, then attach the two lower bolts. When tightening the nuts on the top, hold the stud in place with a 7/16 (I think) end wrench.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; Some of the better shocks have an Allen or Hex wrench hole, in the top of the front shocks. Look at them first before buying a shock removal tool. Like they have told you, some PB blaster will normally do the trick. Have fun, Gene
