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Installing gas charged rear shocks? #80683
06/27/08 09:16 PM
06/27/08 09:16 PM
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California
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polkat Offline OP
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I'm about to install a set of gas charged rear shocks in my '73 Dart. The axle is up on jack stands (so the springs are at ride level). How do you align the shock mounting holes before cutting the retainer strap? Is there an easy way to do this?
Thanks!

Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: polkat] #80684
06/27/08 09:20 PM
06/27/08 09:20 PM
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Upper Midwest
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MoparforLife Offline
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Put the stands under the frame ahead of the axle and let the axle hang. Cut the strap and let the shock expand with to the spring plate. Use a floor jack to adjust the axle to the shock if needed.

Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: MoparforLife] #80685
06/27/08 10:04 PM
06/27/08 10:04 PM
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NEW JERSEY
AARCONV Offline
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NEW JERSEY
after u cut the strap it doesn't shoot out fast...u have time to guide it into the stud...

Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: polkat] #80686
06/27/08 10:11 PM
06/27/08 10:11 PM
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So Cal
HealthServices Offline
Why would you even post that?
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So Cal
They are not that hard to compress with your hand. If you can install one end first without cutting the strap first great, but after cutting the strap (for smaller packaging) you can collapse the shock by pressing one end on the concrete floor. Install into hole before the shock fully extends. If it fully extends on one end just push with your hand until it fits. The gas there is not to hold the car up but to help control the oil from foaming.

Or just put the jacks under the frame so the suspension is extended and use a jack like ‘Knowsnothing’ stated.

Note you can also collapse the shock by hand and remove the strap without cutting it. This way if it’s too hard for you to overcome while under the car you can try putting the strap on and cut it while under the car.

It’s one of those things where as soon as you start doing the work you wonder why you asked the question to start with.


Allen Here's a novel idea, let's not throw a bunch of parts at the car hoping it will fix the problem and instead spend a little time diagnosing it first. Life was a little easier when I was just a wrench.
Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: AARCONV] #80687
06/28/08 12:58 PM
06/28/08 12:58 PM
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Missouri
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MY340 Offline
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Quote:

after u cut the strap it doesn't shoot out fast...u have time to guide it into the stud...




KYB's shoot out pretty fast and laying on my back I couldn't compress them. As mentioned above use a floor jack for alignment of holes.


1970 FE5 Duster 360/904/3.91's SOLD 1973 TB3 SpaceDuster 340/4spd/4.10's SOLD Moparless for now but when the opportunity is right I'll have another one.
Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: MY340] #80688
06/28/08 01:18 PM
06/28/08 01:18 PM
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Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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Aurora, Colorado
Not sure about the A-Body, but ob a B-Body the hard part is removing the upper mounting bolt for the shock. Once the shock is mounted from the upper bolt, cut the wire and guide the lower part onto the shock stud as mentioned eariler.
The shocks are stiff, but not that hard to compress by hand.

Re: Installing gas charged rear shocks? [Re: 451Mopar] #80689
06/28/08 01:23 PM
06/28/08 01:23 PM
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California
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polkat Offline OP
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Thanks guys. It went pretty easily. Guess it was a question that I didn't really need to ask.







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