How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: My own state of mind
How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks?
My '87 is desperatley in need of some new shocks. I'm getting a set of factory Bilsteins for it next month and wanted to see how difficult the job is. I have the Z52 suspension and was going to get the Z51 Bilsteins for a little handling upgrade. Is there anything I should watch out for while changing them? And is there anything I should go ahead and replace while I'm changing the shocks?
Thanks,
Matt
[Modified by Golden80, 9:29 AM 5/23/2003]
Thanks,
Matt
[Modified by Golden80, 9:29 AM 5/23/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (Golden80)
I would say easy. Took me longer to jack the rear up and remove the wheels then it took me to replace the shocks. Just remember to have all the tools necessary before you start.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (Golden80)
Since shocks work best when matched to the spring rates, you might consider going with stock Z52 Bilsteins and upgrading the sway bars.
You could either install stiffer sway bars or poly-graphite bushings, which have the same effect of stiffening the link between wheels on an axle.
You could either install stiffer sway bars or poly-graphite bushings, which have the same effect of stiffening the link between wheels on an axle.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 10,787
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From: My own state of mind
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (65Z01)
I just went ahead and ordered the Z52 shocks instead. I figured there would have to be some other stuff changed if I went with the Z51 shocks. I guess my question is if the Z52 shocks are the same as the factory ones since they had the same part numbers in the Ecklers catalog.
Matt
Matt
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,283
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From: Houston Texas
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (Golden80)
Changing shocks are easy. The shocks themselves probably took a total of less than 2hours. Hard to say I did brakes at same time. New pads and painted the calipers bled brakes on a Saturday afternoon.
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (89CONV)
Basically you need a good jack, a good jackstand, and a good set of sockets and wrenches.
Don't overtorque the bolts that hold the rears to the frame. They snap off at the head. Getting the broken bolt out sucks.
Don't overtorque the bolts that hold the rears to the frame. They snap off at the head. Getting the broken bolt out sucks.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: How easy, or difficult, is it to replace shocks? (Golden80)
I put new Edelbrocks on two weeks ago. Took longer to clean/wax the wheels/tires (while they were off) than to actually R&R the shocks.
Hint; use a torque wrench when you are putting the new shocks on and use the torque values in the manual.
Use that torque wrench when you put the lug nuts back on, also.
Okay, how many of you guys do THAT??!
:yesnod:
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
Hint; use a torque wrench when you are putting the new shocks on and use the torque values in the manual.
Use that torque wrench when you put the lug nuts back on, also.
Okay, how many of you guys do THAT??!
:yesnod:
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
