CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear shock

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2014 | 04:13 PM
Share
  #1  
czardali's Avatar
czardali
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default Rear shock
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!
Reply
0
Old Dec 13, 2014 | 04:53 PM
Share
  #2  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,286
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Default
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
Reply
0
Old Dec 13, 2014 | 08:48 PM
Share
  #3  
haydenray's Avatar
haydenray
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Newman Lake Wa
Default
I used a screw jack under the lower shock mount to adjust and hold the shock in the right position. Hope it helps.

Ray
Reply
0
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 08:26 AM
Share
  #4  
mk's78's Avatar
mk's78
Racer
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 6
From: Dover Delaware
Default
Reply
0
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 10:33 AM
Share
  #5  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default
Originally Posted by czardali
...is there a trick to it such as jacking up the arm?...
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.

Reply
0
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 08:29 PM
Share
  #6  
haydenray's Avatar
haydenray
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Newman Lake Wa
Default
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
Reply
0
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 09:11 PM
Share
  #7  
drkness01's Avatar
drkness01
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
Default
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.
Reply
0
Old Dec 15, 2014 | 09:27 AM
Share
  #8  
tyancey00's Avatar
tyancey00
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
Default
Originally Posted by 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!
Put the top bolt in first. then you can maneuver the bottom on much easier...
Reply
0
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 07:17 AM
Share
  #9  
czardali's Avatar
czardali
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default
Originally Posted by 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
thank you brotha it worked!
Reply
0
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 07:18 AM
Share
  #10  
czardali's Avatar
czardali
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default
Originally Posted by tyancey00
Put the top bolt in first. then you can maneuver the bottom on much easier...
hell yea it worked out fine! i had to jack up the other side
Reply
0
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 07:21 AM
Share
  #11  
czardali's Avatar
czardali
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default
Originally Posted by 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.
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
Reply
0

Get notified of new replies

To Rear shock

Back to Subforum
C3 Tech/Performance
View Next Unread
Where to buy 90 degree elbow synthetic fuel line?




Click for Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump
Trending Topics

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:11 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE