Ever have one of those NAGGING problems you just GIVE UP on solving yourself?

Well, here I am asking for your help on this one.

Stock, 6cyl, no P/S, '65 Coupe

Recent frontend rebuild with a quality, stock kit including ball joints, spring perches, control arms, bushings, etc.

About two weeks after the rebuild (by a local shop) a NOISE started in the front end. Sounded like a shock popping or a coil spring popping when I turned hard left and went down the driveway dip. Also pops when I load and unload the left front suspension.

I discovered the lower shock bushings/rubber washers were fragged on the left front after the rebuild.

Last night I installed a lower shock kit with a urethane pad and new lower shock bushings.
It's a little better, but something is still POPPING.

Here's a clue that something ain't right: when I tighten the lower shock nuts, the upper shock shaft and mounting bushing is angled hard against the outside of the shock tower. I struggle to push it inboard to line up the mounting slots.
I don't think it should be in this bad of a bind.

I've changed stock shocks on this '65 twice over the last 6 years, and I don't remember them being at such an acute outboard angle. Seems like the gas shock just needed to be compressed nearly straight down to attach the top bolts.

And, yes, I jacked up the suspension to a level position when installing the shocks.

I'm at my wits end with this one and really need some guidance here.

Thanks a million in advance
doc

 

Are you sure there's grease in the control arm bushings? Hopefully the shop that did the rebuild put in 90 degree zerk fitting for greasing.