Shock/Strut placeholders

[echrisconnor]

I'm planning on pulling out my shocks on all four corners and having them rebuilt at Bilstein. However, this means that I'll have to pull my shocks and let the car sit for a while with none in place. I also intend to pull the engine after the rear shocks are out, or at least will be jacking up the car all around when the shock are away.

Given that the shocks act as the limiter for the suspension, is there a good way to hold the suspension in place when you're jackig it up without the shocks?

[Slider79SC]

You don't need to worry about the rears, on the front I used large tie wraps and put them aroung the strut body and then around the sway bar (through the body sway bar). You could also use wire and run it through the A-arm and then up to the shock mount in the trunk.

You just need to support it from haging down and putting pressure on the ball joint.

[echrisconnor]

So the rears are fine extending all the way down? That won't give me brake line issues or anything?

For the fronts, I don't have a thru-body sway bar. Could I just wire the strut body up to the shock tower so it doesn't drop too far and stress the ball joint?

Thanks,
c

[Slider79SC]

Perfect, that should work just fine. I left the rears on mine hanging this winter when I had the shocks re-valved and just checked the brake lines when I removed them.

One hint on getting the shocks re-valved. Unless it is a pure track car, don't go to aggressive, it makes for a harsh ride on the street. Ask me how I know…..

If you want to take a ride in a car that has big T-bars, large sway bars and aggressive shocks you can come down to Arvada and I can give you a quick ride.

[echrisconnor]

I've been in a few track cars and actually like the harsh ride. Bilstein suggested the Rally Sport re-valve. They said it was a considerable step up from stock but won't shake my fillings loose.

Thanks for the offer on the ride, I may take you up on it.