92ragtop

I cannot get the rear FX3 shock out of the upper mount. Both upper bolts are off the plate, and the shock is hanging. According to the FSM, the shock should now just drop out of the hole in the frame. However, something is stopping it from doing so, almost like the rubber bushing is too large for the hole. I've tried prying down on the mounting plate, but the top of the shock will simply not pull through the hole.
What am I missing? Is there some secret trick?

Also, once the shock is out, is the FX3 connector easy to get at? The FSM says not to let it fall inside the frame. How do you keep it from doing that once the new shock is in. (I'm not replacing with FX3.)

Here are photos of the top of the chock and diagrams from the FSM.

c4cruiser

Could be that the upper rubber bushing has compressed to the point that it's a wider diameter than the hole.

Have you tried using a big pry bar between the frame rail and the mounting plate?? Maybe one that is 2-3' long? If it's just the upper bushing, it should come out with some "persuading". New shocks will have new bushings so if the old one gets ripped or scraped, no biggie.

The harness is long enough to pull out of the hole to reach the connector. Try using a zip tie on the harness and attach it to the threaded end of the shock rod after you attach the mounting plate to the new shock. The wire harness can fall down to the frame kickup and is a real PITA to fish out if you or a subsequent owner decides to go back to the FX3 shocks.

Kubs

Look at how tight your SS brakeline is. You either need to unbolt the caliper to get more slack, or just unbolt the bottom of the shock from the knuckle and it will drop right out. The bushing is not bigger than the hole. The only thing holding the FX3 actuator on is a C-clip.

slickfx3

pry on it with a dull screwdriver, it's only a shock, FX3 has nothing to do with why it 'feels" stuck.

92ragtop

Thanks for the tip.

Now that I know I'm not missing something obvious, I'll just keep at it.

c4cruiser

If you haven't removed the bottom of the shock from the knuckle, the shock would have to be compressed to get the upper part out of the frame rail. Even with the rear suspension hanging and the bottom of the shock still installed, there is still more travel left. The FX3 shock is gas-filled and it will extend further.

Raise the suspension up about 3" and remove the lower shock nut and slide the shock off the mounting knuckle. The upper part will then simply drop out of the frame.

socalman

Hopefully you had the car set on the 'mildest' setting, opens the passage allowing you to muscle the shock up (grabbing the bottom) and compress it up and out.

92ragtop

[QUOTE=c4cruiser;1576526049Raise the suspension up about 3" and remove the lower shock nut and slide the shock off the mounting knuckle. The upper part will then simply drop out of the frame.[/QUOTE]

The shock is off the lower stud already. It's just that for some reason the upper rubber bushing is now of a diameter somewhat larger than the hole in the frame. I'll just have to figure out a way to pry it out.

socalman

So the bottom is hanging free?

92ragtop

Yup, just like a cheap hooker.

socalman

then you got a swollen rubber

92ragtop

I finally got it out, (the shock that is), and the top bushing was swollen up like an old man's prostate. I ended up drilling and cutting out chunks of the bushing while prying down on the mounting plate. Finally got enough of it removed that I was able to pull the shock out of the frame hole. At least if the other side has the same problem, I know what do.

p.s. Most guys would never admit that their rubber was too big.