Rear Shock Installation Problem, bushing to mount
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Rear Shock Installation Problem, bushing to mount
71 'stock', driver, not a show car. Trying to install ACDelco 5304 Rear Shocks. I can find no posts of similar issue that I'm running into, so I assume I am doing something fundamentally wrong.
The shock's lower mount has a steel sleeve/bushing in it. Doesn't even fit over the threaded end of the shock mount (original) on the car, so right or wrong, I removed the sleeve.
Then the rubber portion expanded such that the hole is now still far too small. I've gotten the rubber bushing portion over the threads but it will NOT expand enough to slide over the remaining shaft portion of the lower mount. It is not on far enough to try to thread the bolt to 'pull it on', and I can't get a clamp/socket set up to hold it to 'pull/press' it on. rubber mallet is useless as the rubber of the bushing simply absorbs the strike and rebounds. Doesn't budge.
It had old Monroes on it and there were no sleeves in the lower mount holes and the rubber looked 'gouged out'. I can gouge out the rubber, but that just loses the 'fit' that I assume it needs to have.
What am I doing wrong? These seem to be the correct shocks, but I find no mention of other people having trouble with them.
EDIT: Do you knock out the GM bushing and use the 'two separate bushings' to fit the larger shaft?
Thank you for any help.
The shock's lower mount has a steel sleeve/bushing in it. Doesn't even fit over the threaded end of the shock mount (original) on the car, so right or wrong, I removed the sleeve.
Then the rubber portion expanded such that the hole is now still far too small. I've gotten the rubber bushing portion over the threads but it will NOT expand enough to slide over the remaining shaft portion of the lower mount. It is not on far enough to try to thread the bolt to 'pull it on', and I can't get a clamp/socket set up to hold it to 'pull/press' it on. rubber mallet is useless as the rubber of the bushing simply absorbs the strike and rebounds. Doesn't budge.
It had old Monroes on it and there were no sleeves in the lower mount holes and the rubber looked 'gouged out'. I can gouge out the rubber, but that just loses the 'fit' that I assume it needs to have.
What am I doing wrong? These seem to be the correct shocks, but I find no mention of other people having trouble with them.
EDIT: Do you knock out the GM bushing and use the 'two separate bushings' to fit the larger shaft?
Thank you for any help.
Last edited by Flye; Sep 4, 2017 at 02:19 PM. Reason: Found some 'eyelet bushings', asking if THAT is the issue
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F,
Welcome!
First post!
Sorry, have to ask… are you trying to put the shock on upside down?
Here are some photos of the configuration of the bottom of the rear shocks used on the stock shock absorber mount.
Might help you spot something?
Regards,
Alan
Lower..2 loose bushings and convex washer.
Upper… pressed in bushing.
Welcome!
First post!
Sorry, have to ask… are you trying to put the shock on upside down?
Here are some photos of the configuration of the bottom of the rear shocks used on the stock shock absorber mount.
Might help you spot something?
Regards,
Alan
Lower..2 loose bushings and convex washer.
Upper… pressed in bushing.
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 4, 2017 at 02:22 PM.
Thread Starter
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Thank you. I think the problem is I'm trying to use the bushing that is in there, and it has to come out, as per your middle picture and then the two piece bushings put back in.
Thanks...
p.s. Mine isn't as quite as 'clean' as yours! Excellent job by you!!!
Thanks...
p.s. Mine isn't as quite as 'clean' as yours! Excellent job by you!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F,
This pic is from a distance but if you look closely you can see the bushing for each side of the shock is about 3/4" deep'.
The convex washer when tightened by the long nut 'loads' the bushings in the shock's 'ring'.
Regards,
Alan
This pic is from a distance but if you look closely you can see the bushing for each side of the shock is about 3/4" deep'.
The convex washer when tightened by the long nut 'loads' the bushings in the shock's 'ring'.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 149
From: Frisco TX
I have that same problem with the AC Delco shocks on my 78.
What happened is they put the "sleeved" end at the bottom of the shock.
The sleeved end should be at the top of the shock and the larger non sleeved bushing at the bottom.
I would retrun them to get replacements. It must be a manufacturing problem.
What happened is they put the "sleeved" end at the bottom of the shock.
The sleeved end should be at the top of the shock and the larger non sleeved bushing at the bottom.
I would retrun them to get replacements. It must be a manufacturing problem.
Last edited by LenWoodruff; Sep 5, 2017 at 07:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I have that same problem with the AC Delco shocks on my 78.
What happened is they put the "sleeved" end at the bottom of the shock.
The sleeved end should be at the top of the shock and the larger non sleeved bushing at the bottom.
I would retrun them to get replacements. It must be a manufacturing problem.
What happened is they put the "sleeved" end at the bottom of the shock.
The sleeved end should be at the top of the shock and the larger non sleeved bushing at the bottom.
I would retrun them to get replacements. It must be a manufacturing problem.
Good gracious. Hadn't considered that.
Went home and checked. Yes, the sleeve was NOT in top. Will try putting sleeve into the existing upper rubber bushing (fits) and will wait for the lower grommets to arrive and and put it back the way it is suppose to be.
Have to say a bit disappointing on what really does appear to be a manufacturing/assembly issue. They are definitely ACDelco and right part # on box. I got them from a large parts vendor, not a C3 vendor, but assume that has nothing to do with anything.
And in response to early question about 'upside down', yes, I have them 'right side up', but thanks for confirming.
Again, thank you to all. Good catch on the bushings being wrong.
Last edited by Flye; Sep 5, 2017 at 11:14 AM. Reason: Updated after checking the bushings
