Shock removal HEELLPP!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
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From: Silver Spring, Md.
Shock removal HEELLPP!
On my '05 MN6 Z51, for the front shocks I've been trying to utililize the zip-tie method but am unable to get it to compress the shock enough to allow the upper mounting rod to pulled down to remove the shock. I sure as hell don't want to go mechanically beyond this (per maunual)...any suggestions would be appreciated.l 
Last edited by stinky; Jul 29, 2007 at 12:28 PM.
Safety Car
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On my '05 MN6, for the front shocks I've been trying to utililize the zip-tie method but am unable to get it to compress the shock enough to allow the upper mounting rod to pulled down to remove the shock. I sure as hell don't want to go mechanically beyond this (per maunual)...any suggestions would be appreciated.l
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, Md.
Yes, I know. I've jacked it up to point the car will start to lift. Used pliers to pull the ties as tight as I could but I'm still 1/2 to 3/4" from getting the upper rod out.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 10
You don't need any zip ties. Make sure the suspension is unloaded. After you've removed the upper shock nut, dislodge the bushing from the frame (difficult, but not impossible). Then just use some muscle and push down on the dust boot to compress the shock rod.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
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From: Silver Spring, Md.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
Just did my fornt shocks
I learned from the rear. Unbolted both lower A arm bolts at the frame, unbolted the sway arm from the A arm-push the bolt all the way out, and the whole front just drops down enough to remove the shock out completely with no compressing. obviously unbolting the shock from above and below. then i used a little jack to maneuver the A arm and new shock back into place to put back together. to me its harder than the rear. I did compress the rear shock to remove but that one you can compress easily.
Just posted a question if this A arm removal method affects the alignment, specifically the camber.
Why didn't I think of the ratchet strap method? That would work on the front since it is difficult to compress knuckle wise.
Just posted a question if this A arm removal method affects the alignment, specifically the camber.
Why didn't I think of the ratchet strap method? That would work on the front since it is difficult to compress knuckle wise.
Last edited by drivinfast; Jul 28, 2007 at 11:02 PM. Reason: Concerned about alignment
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
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From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Easy way..
There's an easier way......I just did this on my '08 this past weekend. Do a loop at the top, then use a ratchet strap to collapse the shock. Tried the Zip tie with the same result (not enough collapse) so went this direction and it worked great..... Here's a shot of the rears, but you can do the fronts the same way. Just rig a loop at the top for the strap to run through..
YOu can get a lot of collapse with this method, making the install easy.
YOu can get a lot of collapse with this method, making the install easy.
Last edited by Modshack; Jul 28, 2007 at 10:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Beats UD regularly playing 3D chess, and at life
Use some bailing wire. Does takes two sets of hands, out in seconds. Pre-cut some thin bailling wire (Home Depot). One set of hands compresses the shock, your buddy wraps some wire at the top of the shock, to the bottom of the shock and twists the wire. Shock stays compressed when hands are released. Comes right out, or goes right in. Done.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
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From: Silver Spring, Md.
Modshack, I'm glad you showed this as it was something I thought would be worth the try but uncertain if it had been done. Where would one get a ratchet strap anyway?
Vettealot, your method is next if the strap thing doesn't do it. Thanks.
Karik, I'm on my own or otherwise I think we might have muscled it out as you did. But thanks for the idea.
Vettealot, your method is next if the strap thing doesn't do it. Thanks.
Karik, I'm on my own or otherwise I think we might have muscled it out as you did. But thanks for the idea.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,285
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From: Denver PA
St. Jude Donor '07
If you have the Z51 option, it's almost imposible to compress the shocks by hand. I did mine myself and it took me 4 hours just to do the front. It took 3 hours to to the rear. I used the zip tie method.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
. That's why I undid the lower A arms, but If I am correct from another thread, You need to place the notches back where they were, or camber is off from your previous alignment. There are 4 notches, 2 degrees each, so I guessed at 1 deg neg camber = between notch 0 and 2. Thats until I get an alignment and ask the tech there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, Md.
Modshack----
Your suggestion worked GREAT (once I figured out how to do it)
My rears came off easy as hell, compressed by hand and twisted down and out, install was the same. The fronts OMG. Those Z51 shocks will NOT compress, period. After unbolting the top nut and then the 2 lower bolts I got rid of all the zips and with the strap I placed the ratchet about 3" from the top of the shock, ran the strap up and used a half knot around the top of the shaft just below the bushing. I then jacked the suspension up to compress the shock some. Then snaked the length of the strap down and around the bottom of the shock where the encased bushing is, another half knot. I zipped this so that it would not slip up over the shock tube. Fed the strap into the ratchet and a couple of pumps later the shock was compressed and pulled out with no problems. I spent more time looking for heavy duty zips then it took me to remove the shock...the second one took 15 minutes 
The FSDs compress easily by hand so they go in rather quickly.Steve, once again, THANKS.
Last edited by stinky; Aug 4, 2007 at 09:04 PM.
