I bought a new pair of rear shocks for the '60 to hopefully rid me of some of the horrible noises I've been getting from the back of the car. They're Premium KYB's and were very cheap.
Haynes wrote:14 Rear Shock Absorber - removal and refitting
1. Remove the rear parcel shelf and fold the rear seat forwards in order to gain access to the rear shock absorber upper mountings.
2. Withdraw the cover, then unscrew and remove the two mounting nuts and washers.
3. Jack up the rear of the car and support it adequately with axle stands.
4. Unscrew and remove the lower mounting nut(s) and withdraw the shock absorber, bushes and washers.
The lower mounting nuts were pretty well seized and the shock just turned with them when trying to apply torque, but with the help of a chain wrench and a bloody big Stillson I got them off.
But when it came to withdrawing the shock I was stuck. I couldn't compress it. I've tried threading a nut onto the stud and hammering it, hard - but it wouldn't budge. I even tried using the weight of the car to drive the stud through the anchor plate but it just popped back through when I jacked the car up again. I ended up putting it all back together again as it got dark.
I think part of the problem is that the shocks are well and truly knackered...
Please help, this is my first foray into suspension work and I'm at a loss. I'm due an MOT and have knackered one of the old bushes in the process of todays activities so really have to get is sorted. Don't make me have to go to a garage to finish the job
best way is to try and get the body supported at the back so that the weight of the car isn't on the rear axle anymore. Then when you've undone you should be able to push the shock up and out of its lower mountings.
I had a similar problem with the rear shocks on my 85 360.
It had sachs on the back but I got some Gabriel Ryder's off the blag for little money.
If i remember corectly I pulled down 'til the veins in my neck were ready to explode and it finally came out but it was a right f&$K on.
Only later did I discover it had those daft rubber donoughts for towing caravans slotted over shock strut making it nigh on impossible to compress.Perserverence is the key
Or you could let the test run out and let me buy it for little money
I remember when it was on the blag last time with brake issues-looked a nice motor.
Sure you'll sort it if you can get some super strength
I had the car jacked on the body, not the suspension, so that it hung - but no joy. Tried a lot of pushing and pulling. Directly on the shock and on the wheel/leaf. Also lots of jacking up and down. No joy.
I have a cunning plan which involves an angle grinder and some protective clothing... Would that be dangerous?
Sven...
Yeah, the brake issues were when I first bought it - needed new rear cylinders and m/c - now has excellent stopping power, smooth, lots of control. I'm really pretty happy with the stock set up even at high speeds.
This car is totally impractical as a family car, but I love it and it's staying - so NOT for sale!
'85 360GLT Mk2 3 Door B19E - SOLD
'94 L400 Mitsubishi Delica LWB
Aaron, before you cut the old ones off, try a scissor jack between the leaf springh and the chassis leg with a block of wood in between. Also make sure you can compress the new dampers to fit before you cut the old ones off!!! lol
Adam
340GLT wrote:Aaron, before you cut the old ones off, try a scissor jack between the leaf springh and the chassis leg with a block of wood in between. Adam
great minds think alike Adam, I was just reading through this and thought if only Aaron could get a bit more distance between the body at the top and the mounting at the bottom , I must admit I thought about dropping one end of the leaf spring but your idea saves all that hassle , cant see why it wouldent work
sven360 wrote:Sure you'll sort it if you can get some super strength
Yeah, I'm in training!
pettaw wrote:hmm yeah hitting with hammer won't work, these are shock absorbers after all
You need sustained hard pressure IIRC.
Doh... You're absolutely right about the hammer.
I'll give the sustained pressure thing a go next time round. And I'll take the wheels off this time to get better grip. Just bought a cheap exhaust backbox (I love eBay), so will try again when that arrives.
340GLT wrote:Aaron, before you cut the old ones off, try a scissor jack between the leaf springh and the chassis leg with a block of wood in between. Also make sure you can compress the new dampers to fit before you cut the old ones off!!! lol
Thanks, Adam. I thought about using the jack, but couldn't see what to brace it against on the shock. Didn't consider bracing it against the arch itself. I'll consider it again on the next attempt. But if it wont shift I'm going to get Texas Chainsaw Massacre on its ass! And yes, the new shocks will fit!
redline wrote:I must admit I thought about dropping one end of the leaf spring but your idea saves all that hassle , cant see why it wouldent work
Cheers, Mick - but that sounds like a horrible job - unless I was going to put lowering blocks in while I was at it... Why does the simplest job make me want to do everything all at once?!
Be warned, Bosal exhaust parts are a load of crap. Walker are better, but the genuine Volvo ones really are a lot better both in terms of quality and performance.
Be warned, Bosal exhaust parts are a load of crap. Walker are better, but the genuine Volvo ones really are a lot better both in terms of quality and performance.
cheers
James
Thanks for the advice
Volvo ones aren't available any longer - deleted...
The Bosal one is, as you've guessed, the one I bought on eBay. Shame to hear it's a crap one
Have a source in Southampton for £50 delivered - but not sure what brand it is. Will email him.
Cheers
'85 360GLT Mk2 3 Door B19E - SOLD
'94 L400 Mitsubishi Delica LWB
Yeah my whole system is Bosal, and a load of crap... are exhaust 'kits' available from the dealers anymore? ie. middle and rearbox including fittings? And how about downpipes? I'll probably be getting a s/s system sorted soonish and might well replace the downpipe with new while im at it.
