MBVette

in a couple weeks I will be taking my shocks off and sending them back to bilstein to be rebuilt. How hard will it be to take the shocks off? And is there a how-to sitting around somewhere?

thanks

Bob86ZZ4

They are pretty easy to take out. I had to drill a small hole in the fiberglass directly above the front ones to fit an allen wrench in to the top to hold the shaft while unscrewing the bolt that holds it to the upper suspension tower.

DaveFromCleveland

I just did mine this weekend. Well, three of them (Ecklers sent me two different rear shocks). It is a very easy job.

Front:
1) Remove the center fender liner to get access to the top of the shock without drilling.
2) Place a jack under the suspension to support it once the shock is off.
3) Use an allen wrench to keep the shock from spinning and loosen the top nut.
4) Remove the two bolts holding the bottom of the shock.
5) Insert the new shock. I had to cut out the old bushing to make rooom for the new one. Bolt everything down.

Rear:
1) Place a jack under the suspension to support it once the shock is off.
2) Remove the two bolts holding the top of the shock to the frame.
3) Remove the one bolt holding the bottom of the shock.
4) Using an allen wrench to prevent the shock from spinning, remove the top of the shock from the plate.
5) Attach the new shock to the plate. Don't compress the bushing too much or it will not fit through the hole on the frame.
5) Insert the new shock and bolt it down.

After getting the car on the ground and driving it, re-tighten everything.


[Modified by DaveFromCleveland, 3:35 PM 3/18/2002]

MBVette

well I wont have shocks to put back on for a couple weeks, as I am sending them off to get rebuilt. I dont need to leave the car on jacks, it can just sit there right? Obviously I cant drive the car, just hoping I dont have to leave the car on stands for 2 weeks or so.

Jeffvette

Do you have Fx3's?

MBVette

yes I have FX3, I actually sent you a PM just before I read this post.