Front Shock Install...help!
 

OK, I have read in past posts that installing front shocks is a piece of cake. I took the old ones out. Easy. I am having a heck of a time getting the top of the shock back through the hole in the fender. There is nothing to grab on to to push it up. This is even more difficult as I have a brace that the top of the strut also has to go through. I am sure I am overlooking an easyier way, but don't see it. I am resisting taking the bottom of the strut off. Any help would be appreciated, oh wise ones.

thanks!!!!

My new shocks always had enough pressure to push enough of the threads up through the shock tower. They sometimes require a little bit of shaking/tapping (on the strut body), but that should be all.

If that doesn't work, you might consider removing the camber plate before the bottom of the shock. Then again, I've always re-aligned my car after putting in new shocks, so keeping my previous alignment settings wasn't a big deal.

As Josh says, the shock should self-extend due to internal pressure.

If it is extending, are you using a floor jack under the strut to raise it up?

Are you by any chance installing the early Koni Hydraulics? I ask since you have a 67. these will not raise up on their own. Push them down and they stay down. You will have to put the shock up, put the top cap on, and then carefully insert in the camber plate. The other option is to mark and then remove the camber plate and install on the shock. Then just use a socket extension to push it up into place.

Jamie

oil shocks would not self extend, just gas. a lot of shock shafts have a threaded hole on top, into which a long skinny bolt can be inserted to give you something to pull on. the strut bar brackets are a pain sometimes, and have to be removed to get the shaft thru. sometimes, just letting the car down quickly pushes the shaft thru.

Yes, these are oil, not gas. They tend to compress on their own, fairly easily. Thanks, I will give your suggestions a try.