Looked for a guide all over couldnt find one....Seems appropriate since someone just asked about the rear shocks. One question I have though, do i need to take off the springs.


AND ALSO, i was told that if im replacing the shocks do I need to replace the springs also, I was told they usually outlast the car.

 

You can change shocks without removing the springs.

While normally a cars springs will last the life of the car, you have to remember that your car is 41 years old, or probably about 36 years beyond what was originally expected to be the "life of the car". New springs are pretty cheap .....

 

Front shocks are easy but remember it is easier to take the bottoms loose while it is still on the ground, then take the top loose. Replacing the spring is much harder and more danerous.

 

Well, I was going to get a shop to do the springs because they have some machine to compress them, but I already bought the shocks and I wanted to know what to do to get them in.

 

it's not hard. just un bolt them from the bottom then unbolt the top. slide the old one out and the new one in and bolt it up. simple as that.

 

im assuming I need to jack it up too right. i dont want to not jack it up then have it shot out the top.

 

Actually, you want to jack it up just enough to unload the suspension and be able to get a wrench under the spring perch, but not far enough to get the tire off the ground. Shocks don't have much compression, so it's not going to 'shoot' out the top.

 

ok, Maybe I'll do it tomorrow, I have to leave for work in an hour. My shocks are fully compressed, even when the tire is off the ground, originals. Should i keep them when I swap or just toss 'em out.

 

The shocks are not compressed with the tires off the ground they are fully extended. If you jack it up to do the job don't let the tires hang. It will make the job much harder.

 

I didnt buy adjustable shocks so i can theoretically just drop them in no hassel right.