front shock replacement - steps?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: League City TX
front shock replacement - steps?
from looking at it, this seems to be an easy job for a first timer...
Assuming the car is jacked up high enough to slide the shocks out:
1. unbolt top bolt
2. unbolt bottom bolts
3. slide old shock out
reverse steps for installation.
Am I missing anything? It seems to be very straight forward. I have never attempted replacing shocks, and already bought some gas shocks for the front. I hear the back shocks are much more complicated. Any help or sugguestions are greatly appreciated.
Assuming the car is jacked up high enough to slide the shocks out:
1. unbolt top bolt
2. unbolt bottom bolts
3. slide old shock out
reverse steps for installation.
Am I missing anything? It seems to be very straight forward. I have never attempted replacing shocks, and already bought some gas shocks for the front. I hear the back shocks are much more complicated. Any help or sugguestions are greatly appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (fcoppola)
Yep. You'll need an allen key and one of those spinny-wrenches to take the top nut off. You can do it with a regular wrench, but it's not as much fun. Also, you may need a small jack to hold the bottom in place when you torque the two bolts down.
I actually think the rears are easier than the fronts, but I just hate compressing shocks. The only problem with the rear is if your mount is seized up. If not, you're most definitely in the clear.
-Steve
I actually think the rears are easier than the fronts, but I just hate compressing shocks. The only problem with the rear is if your mount is seized up. If not, you're most definitely in the clear.
-Steve
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (fcoppola)
Just replaced the original fronts and rears on my '75. Easy job; no problems! I also replaced my tie rod ends while I was at it HUGE improvement in sloppy steering!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (fcoppola)
from looking at it, this seems to be an easy job for a first timer...
Assuming the car is jacked up high enough to slide the shocks out:
1. unbolt top bolt
2. unbolt bottom bolts
3. slide old shock out
reverse steps for installation.
Am I missing anything? It seems to be very straight forward. I have never attempted replacing shocks, and already bought some gas shocks for the front. I hear the back shocks are much more complicated. Any help or sugguestions are greatly appreciated.
Assuming the car is jacked up high enough to slide the shocks out:
1. unbolt top bolt
2. unbolt bottom bolts
3. slide old shock out
reverse steps for installation.
Am I missing anything? It seems to be very straight forward. I have never attempted replacing shocks, and already bought some gas shocks for the front. I hear the back shocks are much more complicated. Any help or sugguestions are greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (fcoppola)
AS Said not hard. If it's your first time take note:
4. Set up washer and grommet for inside of top before pushing up into spring.
here's fun part, try to get top thru hole and the push up on bottom to attach bolts, half tight for now. May need small jack to compress shock, may not if arm strength is good. Now check top to see that the top grommet is properly seated in the hole. If so stack other grommet,washer, nuts and tighten. Go back and tighten bottom. you're done.
The back are eaiser except for reaching bolts and dealing with rusted connections, Spray with your favorite rust loosener and go for it.
PS: Be sure car is secure on jack stands or ramps before you go under it.
[Modified by 72GACRZR, 10:27 AM 3/19/2004]
1. unbolt top bolt
You will need the allen key or a pair of small vice grips to hold the threaded rod while you break loose the lock nut and then the nut. Pay attention to the order of the nuts, washer, washer direction(it has a top and bottom side), and rubber grommet(also top and bottom).
2. unbolt bottom bolts
Should have lock washer under them. No surprises, just don't lose.
3. slide old shock out
Carefully and again note position of washer, grommet, and etc
reverse steps for installation.
You will need the allen key or a pair of small vice grips to hold the threaded rod while you break loose the lock nut and then the nut. Pay attention to the order of the nuts, washer, washer direction(it has a top and bottom side), and rubber grommet(also top and bottom).
2. unbolt bottom bolts
Should have lock washer under them. No surprises, just don't lose.
3. slide old shock out
Carefully and again note position of washer, grommet, and etc
reverse steps for installation.
here's fun part, try to get top thru hole and the push up on bottom to attach bolts, half tight for now. May need small jack to compress shock, may not if arm strength is good. Now check top to see that the top grommet is properly seated in the hole. If so stack other grommet,washer, nuts and tighten. Go back and tighten bottom. you're done.
The back are eaiser except for reaching bolts and dealing with rusted connections, Spray with your favorite rust loosener and go for it.
PS: Be sure car is secure on jack stands or ramps before you go under it.
[Modified by 72GACRZR, 10:27 AM 3/19/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (72GACRZR)
A tip for getting the top nut off the front: don't.
If the nut does not remove easily due to rust,etc ...
I just snap them off.
Put a 9/16" deep socket on a long extension. Using the extension
like a torque bar, bend the shaft back and forth a few times until the
shaft weakens and breaks.
Note - make sure the socket is over the nut ... so it bends beneath the nut.
Much fast than wrestling with a rusty shock.
If the rears are not rusted onto the lower shock mount ... they are easy.
:smash: :cheers: :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 10:28 AM 3/19/2004]
If the nut does not remove easily due to rust,etc ...
I just snap them off.
Put a 9/16" deep socket on a long extension. Using the extension
like a torque bar, bend the shaft back and forth a few times until the
shaft weakens and breaks.
Note - make sure the socket is over the nut ... so it bends beneath the nut.
Much fast than wrestling with a rusty shock.
If the rears are not rusted onto the lower shock mount ... they are easy.
:smash: :cheers: :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 10:28 AM 3/19/2004]
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Re: front shock replacement - steps? (fcoppola)
I've never worked on any car until I got my 77 last summer. I'm in the process of rebuilding the front suspension and just did the shocks, front and back, yesterday. Piece of cake! I wish the rest of the suspension and power steering rebuild was as easy. If I can do it, you can do it!
By the way, I'm having a blast and it's already starting to look good! :smash: I'll post some pics soon.
By the way, I'm having a blast and it's already starting to look good! :smash: I'll post some pics soon.
