Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

Shock Absorber Removal

Old 10-11-2007, 01:52 AM
  #1  
remicks
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Default Shock Absorber Removal

Is removing your front shock absorbers as simple as my Haynes manual says?
It says remove the upper mounting bracket attaching nuts. Raise the front of the car and put jack stands under the lower arms. Then remove the two shock absorber lower attaching nuts and insulators. Then reverse the steps to put the new ones in place. Is it really that simple or are there any hidden surprises I need to watch out for?

And I ordered the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks like everybody suggested, they should be here in a couple days.

I couldn't believe it on my new 67 it looks like it has the original 40 year old shocks, the passenger side blew the first time I drove it.
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Old 10-11-2007, 07:19 AM
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blue66mustang
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

Yeah that's it. Aside from any stuck bolts thats all it takes to change the front shocks.

Well they left off that you need to remove the wheel...
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Old 10-11-2007, 10:21 AM
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Starfury
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

I would jack the car up, but leave the tire touching the ground. When I took mine off the first time I did exactly what you described, and the shock was (unbeknownst to me) actually holding the tire off the ground while I was unbolting the bottom bolts. Once I popped the last one off, there was a loud CLANG#$!@^%and the tire dropped the rest of the way to the ground.

Lesson of the day: be careful around coil springs, heh.
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Old 10-11-2007, 10:57 AM
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remicks
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

Yeah coil springs kind of scare me sometimes with all that stored up energy. But I think putting jack stands under the control arms will prevent that from happen.
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Old 10-11-2007, 05:47 PM
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350kmileFord
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

Do they come with bushings or would one need to purchase those seperately?

Edit: Nevermind
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Old 10-11-2007, 05:51 PM
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remicks
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

ORIGINAL: 350kmileFord

Do they come with bushings or would one need to purchase those seperately?

Edit: Nevermind
I had the same question at first too. I called JEGS and yes they do.
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Old 10-11-2007, 08:55 PM
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bluovalguy
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

ORIGINAL: Starfury

I would jack the car up, but leave the tire touching the ground. When I took mine off the first time I did exactly what you described, and the shock was (unbeknownst to me) actually holding the tire off the ground while I was unbolting the bottom bolts. Once I popped the last one off, there was a loud CLANG#$!@^%and the tire dropped the rest of the way to the ground.

Lesson of the day: be careful around coil springs, heh.
Change one side at a time. Put the front end on stands, and once you unbolt the upper two bolts,use your jack to jack up the lower arm. That will take all the tension off of the shock. Then unbolt the bottom and pull the shock out. Very simple.
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Old 10-11-2007, 09:17 PM
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

exactly what bluovalguy said
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Old 10-11-2007, 09:22 PM
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green_blurr
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

While your down there replacing the shocks why not replace the front suspenion?
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCa...ension/psr.htm
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Old 10-11-2007, 09:28 PM
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remicks
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Default RE: Shock Absorber Removal

I'm not looking to do something that extensive right now. I'm just looking to fix what is broken. When I put it up for winter I plan on doing a whole suspensioin conversion to coil overs.
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