Problem with installing HD Bilstein rear shock
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
Problem with installing HD Bilstein rear shock
I have removed the original rear shock of my 1982 Corvette and run into the problem installing HD Bilstein shock. I am not managing to get the upper mounting bolt through the shock upper eye and the rear hole of frame bracket because the eye of the shock and the holes of the bracket are not in line (the bolt gets too high to get through the rear hole of the bracket). Obviously, the solution would be to move the shock a bit outwards but there is no room to do it as the shock is touching the trailing arm. The car is on the 4 jack stands, i.e. the suspension is hanging. I have tried lifting the trailing arm to change the angle of the shock eye in order to get it in line with both holes of the frame bracket, but did not manage.
Any suggestions what els could be done to get the upper eye of the shock outlined with the bracket holes?
Any suggestions what els could be done to get the upper eye of the shock outlined with the bracket holes?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
Thanks diehrd. I’ve tried before to install the top first, but as mentioned in my original post the issue was that there was no room to swing the shock a bit outwards as it was touching the trailing arm. That was due to larger diameter of HD Bilstein compared to the original shock.
The only way to get the shock eye finally outlined was to lift the trailing arm almost completely up, to the point that I already started lifting the rear of the car off the jack stands.
The only way to get the shock eye finally outlined was to lift the trailing arm almost completely up, to the point that I already started lifting the rear of the car off the jack stands.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
These shocks ? Was the car hit or worked on by bubba in the past
https://www.corvettecentral.com/sear...ryId=&q=582212
https://www.corvettecentral.com/sear...ryId=&q=582212
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Get the shock in place and start the bolt in the hole. Then get a socket to fit the bolt head with an extension on it. Use this to pry the bolt in the direction to align it with the back side of the bracket. Screw it in or tap it with a hammer.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
No problem with the bolt only. As soon as I was putting the eye in the bracket and trying to get it through the back hole I could see (with a mirror) that the bolt was getting more than 1 mm (about 1/16") too high. But as mentioned in post #3 I have finally managed. Will see whether I will have the same issue with the shock on the other side.