Replacing shocks. Any tips?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 111
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From: San Antonio Texas
Replacing shocks. Any tips?
I am going to tackle the shocks on a 85 cpe. How does this rate on the difficulty rating for a general knowlege home mechanic. I was wondering if any one has tips or is it straight forward. It's just me and the Haynes manual.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
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From: Jacksonville, Fl
On a scale of 1 to 10... 10 being you might die if you mess up.
I would rate this difficulty as a .2
Very easy very straight forward.
Edit: Take each wheel off (while properly supported) and you will see the shock. its being held in place at two different points. the top and the bottom.
Its easier if you have a stand so you can place the raised car on the stand and use the jack to raise the lower control arm a little to ease the fitting.
I would rate this difficulty as a .2
Very easy very straight forward.
Edit: Take each wheel off (while properly supported) and you will see the shock. its being held in place at two different points. the top and the bottom.
Its easier if you have a stand so you can place the raised car on the stand and use the jack to raise the lower control arm a little to ease the fitting.
Last edited by Phantom90; Mar 12, 2006 at 11:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,726
Likes: 710
From: Bergen County, NJ
I changed the shocks on my '88. Its fairly easy, I am not a mechanic.
Basically, it goes on the same way it comes off.
I used a few diagrams from the Gm shop manual as guidlines. Your '85 may be a little different, but not much.
Front Shock
Rear shock
Basically, it goes on the same way it comes off.
I used a few diagrams from the Gm shop manual as guidlines. Your '85 may be a little different, but not much.
Front Shock
Rear shock
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Hopefully you have a floor jack, after you have one side jacked up and the tire off, place the floor jack under the lower A frame to support it when you release the shock. Be careful of the zirc fitting for lubication.
Note the number of threads on the top mount bolt. When you install the new shock return it to the same position (number of threads). Some brake parts cleaner or a couple of cans, some thing underneath to catch the mess and when it is apart it's a good time to spray all that grease and dirt away before re-assembly.
On the rear's the top of the tower mounts to the body with a plate. Note it's position, flat side to the chassis. Lower attach bolt is torqued on. When you remove the shock assembly, not the tension and thread count on the tower mount bracket before removal. Depends on what kinds of shocks your installing, Bilstein's have an allen wrech stem that allows you to hold the stem while tightening the nut. Some have other methods. Manual calls for torque, can't really torque because the allen wrench has to be there to hold it. (DUH) I guess if you have one of those unique torque wrenches (open end wrench) you could. But if you return it to where the previous one was you should be pretty good shape.
Note the number of threads on the top mount bolt. When you install the new shock return it to the same position (number of threads). Some brake parts cleaner or a couple of cans, some thing underneath to catch the mess and when it is apart it's a good time to spray all that grease and dirt away before re-assembly.
On the rear's the top of the tower mounts to the body with a plate. Note it's position, flat side to the chassis. Lower attach bolt is torqued on. When you remove the shock assembly, not the tension and thread count on the tower mount bracket before removal. Depends on what kinds of shocks your installing, Bilstein's have an allen wrech stem that allows you to hold the stem while tightening the nut. Some have other methods. Manual calls for torque, can't really torque because the allen wrench has to be there to hold it. (DUH) I guess if you have one of those unique torque wrenches (open end wrench) you could. But if you return it to where the previous one was you should be pretty good shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Take a look at this write up: By Bogus
and it is very easy, don't be worried at all. Some fellow forum members have even changed shocks without removing the wheels or jacking up the car (for the front anyway).
and it is very easy, don't be worried at all. Some fellow forum members have even changed shocks without removing the wheels or jacking up the car (for the front anyway).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 40
From: South Georgia
Did you get er done?
If not, I live in San Bennie - could help you out in a couple of weeks - I am on vacation the rest of the week.
There is an HPDE event with the Porsche Club at the Bayview County Airport on March 25. I will be there around 9:30 A.M. Look for the arctic white 96 with the Targa Truss on. I am 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds , so it will be hard to miss me. Especially here in the Valley!!
Ken
There is an HPDE event with the Porsche Club at the Bayview County Airport on March 25. I will be there around 9:30 A.M. Look for the arctic white 96 with the Targa Truss on. I am 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds , so it will be hard to miss me. Especially here in the Valley!!
Ken
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Tip: I used two jacks when I did mine (and jack stands). One jack to get the car off the ground, then use jack stand and the other to move the control arms up and down. You can't compress the shock by hand.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 111
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From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by KBoltz
If not, I live in San Bennie - could help you out in a couple of weeks - I am on vacation the rest of the week.
There is an HPDE event with the Porsche Club at the Bayview County Airport on March 25. I will be there around 9:30 A.M. Look for the arctic white 96 with the Targa Truss on. I am 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds , so it will be hard to miss me. Especially here in the Valley!!
Ken
There is an HPDE event with the Porsche Club at the Bayview County Airport on March 25. I will be there around 9:30 A.M. Look for the arctic white 96 with the Targa Truss on. I am 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds , so it will be hard to miss me. Especially here in the Valley!!
Ken
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 40
From: South Georgia
Hpde
Originally Posted by pearlvette
I bought some KYB’s on ebay. They should here today or tomorrow. After reading the posts, I don’t anticipate any problems. What is the HPDE event?
Is your car a base suspension car, Z51 or Z07?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Phantom90
On a scale of 1 to 10... I would rate this difficulty as a .2
Yep. This is one job you don't even need a manual for (except, maybe for fastener torque values).
If you know which end of the screwdriver to pound on, you can change shocks.
Larry
code5coupe
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
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From: Schwenksville PA
I just purchased a 92 coupe with 46K on it. It is in good condition. The first owner had it for 12 years, the second for 2, so with less the 4K per year it has not seen a a lot of miles.
How many miles can you expect out of a shocks on a gently used vette ?
I know how to check if shocks are bad on standard vehicles, but not sure on Vettes. Is it the same ?
Appreciate any thoughts.
How many miles can you expect out of a shocks on a gently used vette ?
I know how to check if shocks are bad on standard vehicles, but not sure on Vettes. Is it the same ?
Appreciate any thoughts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Originally Posted by alanzilo92
I just purchased a 92 coupe with 46K on it. It is in good condition. The first owner had it for 12 years, the second for 2, so with less the 4K per year it has not seen a a lot of miles.
How many miles can you expect out of a shocks on a gently used vette ?
I know how to check if shocks are bad on standard vehicles, but not sure on Vettes. Is it the same ?
Appreciate any thoughts.
How many miles can you expect out of a shocks on a gently used vette ?
I know how to check if shocks are bad on standard vehicles, but not sure on Vettes. Is it the same ?
Appreciate any thoughts.
I am no mechanic and this was easy for me. I just work slowly. My shocks did not look old but I ordered new bilsteins anyway. As I took off the first one I pushed it up and down. Then I compared that resistance to the new ones. The difference was dramatic to say the least. I knew at that point I had done the right thing.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Originally Posted by pearlvette
I bought some KYB’s on ebay. They should here today or tomorrow. After reading the posts, I don’t anticipate any problems. What is the HPDE event?
Make sure you check the part # on the ebay item with the application part number on the KYB.com website. I ordered from ebay and the guy had the wrong part number set up on the web site, big waste of time....eventually it was straightened out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 111
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From: San Antonio Texas
The KYBs are in. It took about an two hours for all four. That because I only have one jack and one jack stand. Yes it was very easy. I did not run into any problems. All the tips were very helpful. The vette sits higher off the tires (especially the front). The ride and response is fantastic. Of course comparing it to the ride with four blown shocks. There was absolutely no resistance left in the old shocks. The KYBs seem to be a solid shock. I am very happy with the purchase. Any one considering replacing the shocks on their own should go for it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by alanzilo92
How many miles can you expect out of a shocks on a gently used vette ?
The standard Bilsteins are supposed to last far longer than your average shock.
I'd start thinking about replacing them at the 50K mile point....sooner if you are into performance....a little later if you are a cruiser.
Larry
code5coupe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 899
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From: Copperas Cove TX
Originally Posted by pearlvette
I am going to tackle the shocks on a 85 cpe. How does this rate on the difficulty rating for a general knowlege home mechanic. I was wondering if any one has tips or is it straight forward. It's just me and the Haynes manual.
Have a Great Day!!!!!!!!
