How To...Shock Replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 197
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How To...Shock Replacement
OK, finally got my Bilstein Z51 Shocks that I ordered two monts ago and now I'm faced with the install. I've never worked on my Vette before so I'm completely in the dark where to jack up then place my jack stands. Anyone have any pics or drawings of where and how? Do I need to put my car up on all four jackstands or can I just do the front by itself then do the rear afterwards? How do I get the shocks out and how much torque do I use to put them back in? Do I need to remove the wheels b/c I've seen mixed reviews on this one. My Vette shop said I most definately needed to, but what do they know?:jester Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanx, Turner
Thanx, Turner
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 60
From: Fremont Oh
Re: How To...Shock Replacement (XtremeVette420)
Extreme...
They are actually straight forward to install..I haven't bought new bilstiens, however, if they come like most gas charged shocks they will havea string or strap attached to them. Leave it on and connect the top of the shock to where the old shock was located... slowly realease or cut the string and allow the shock to extend then slide it onto the bottom location of the shock mount.
I generally jack the car up where the factory shows the lift points and then locate the jack stands close to that area.. just look for anything that could be crushed where you locate the jack stand.. I generally lift the car high enough to allow easy access to the top and bottom locations to remove the shocks... you will probably find the worst part of the disassembly is the top shaft tends to spin. You may want to put a set of vise grips on the shaft or get a shock tool to hold the center shaft from spinning while you loosen the bolt . I generally as I mentioned above attache the top first and allow the shock to expand to where it will be bolted on the bottom. If it extends too far you can use the small jack that comes with your car to easily compress the shock back down enough to slide it into place.
The service manual says to torque the shock bolts to 19ft lbs...
Hope this helps..
Mo
They are actually straight forward to install..I haven't bought new bilstiens, however, if they come like most gas charged shocks they will havea string or strap attached to them. Leave it on and connect the top of the shock to where the old shock was located... slowly realease or cut the string and allow the shock to extend then slide it onto the bottom location of the shock mount.
I generally jack the car up where the factory shows the lift points and then locate the jack stands close to that area.. just look for anything that could be crushed where you locate the jack stand.. I generally lift the car high enough to allow easy access to the top and bottom locations to remove the shocks... you will probably find the worst part of the disassembly is the top shaft tends to spin. You may want to put a set of vise grips on the shaft or get a shock tool to hold the center shaft from spinning while you loosen the bolt . I generally as I mentioned above attache the top first and allow the shock to expand to where it will be bolted on the bottom. If it extends too far you can use the small jack that comes with your car to easily compress the shock back down enough to slide it into place.
The service manual says to torque the shock bolts to 19ft lbs...
Hope this helps..
Mo
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: How To...Shock Replacement (XtremeVette420)
Just jack one corner at a time and pull the tire. Just like a flat. Take your time it is not a bad job at all. The nut at the top of the front shocks may need a shot of WD40 to get it loose. You may find that a second jack is helpful to put under the lower 'A' arm to raise the arm to meet the shock.
