"easy shock"
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
"easy shock"
On a recent thread I was teasing some people about how easy it is to put on new shocks. They were using the traditional tie wrap or light wire methods of holding the shock compressed while you install it, as I have done many times, and were complaining about the difficulties of this method. I told them I use the "Easy Shock" and you can change four shocks in a half hour with a coffee cup in the other hand (a little exaggeration). But the tool does work well on C5, C6, and Bilstein shocks both front and back. I made the tool from scraps laying around the shop and they asked for more details so they could build one. Here are measurements and more pictures.
The tool is made from two pieces of 1/8"X2"X2" angle cut 2" long,
a couple of pieces of 1 1/2"X1/8" flat bar that's bent at a right angle, and a 1/2"X6" bolt and nut.
The larger slot on the short end of the tool is 1 1/4" wide and the smaller slot on the longer end of the tool is 11/16" wide. At 11/16" wide the tool can then be fitted in to the boot retainer at the top of the Bilstein shocks.
The overall length of the short end of the tool is 5" and the overall length of the long end of the tool is 6 1/4". The 5/8" bolt holes are 1" out from the verticle face of the tool so that you have room to fit a
3/8" air ratchet and socket flat on the bolt head. The nut is welded to the upper (longer) part of the tool's right angle bend.
Installed on the shock this allows you about 5" of compression room, more than enough to easily lift the shock out of the car. With all the talented welders and machinists out there I'm sure this design can be improved and sanitized so post up your finished product when you're done.
The tool is made from two pieces of 1/8"X2"X2" angle cut 2" long,
a couple of pieces of 1 1/2"X1/8" flat bar that's bent at a right angle, and a 1/2"X6" bolt and nut.
The larger slot on the short end of the tool is 1 1/4" wide and the smaller slot on the longer end of the tool is 11/16" wide. At 11/16" wide the tool can then be fitted in to the boot retainer at the top of the Bilstein shocks.
The overall length of the short end of the tool is 5" and the overall length of the long end of the tool is 6 1/4". The 5/8" bolt holes are 1" out from the verticle face of the tool so that you have room to fit a
3/8" air ratchet and socket flat on the bolt head. The nut is welded to the upper (longer) part of the tool's right angle bend.
Installed on the shock this allows you about 5" of compression room, more than enough to easily lift the shock out of the car. With all the talented welders and machinists out there I'm sure this design can be improved and sanitized so post up your finished product when you're done.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
I too, have done the 'by hand' deal...talkin' shocks here 
, and find it to be no better than just plain aggravating. I like to enjoy working on the Vette, and anything that makes life easier gets my vote.
A fun little fabrication project to boot! Good stuff.
, and find it to be no better than just plain aggravating. I like to enjoy working on the Vette, and anything that makes life easier gets my vote.A fun little fabrication project to boot! Good stuff.
