Installing Rear Shocks

Sunroof · 09-24-2004, 04:42 AM

I know their is a ton of experience on this task. It certainly looks simple enough, but let me get away from the basic instructional information I have gone over and seek a bit more detail.

I just purchased new Koni's (rear) for my 73.5T (CIS). I plan to soak the lower retaining bolts with BP Blaster, and let sit for a day before I get those puppies loose. The upper retaining nut (17 mm) looks easy enough to get to at least on the drivers side, BUT, once I get the nut off what will happen at this point? Will the shock be easy to just pull down? Is their any rubber sitting inside the tunnel that must stay on the car? Do I have to change any tower rubber? Can someone hold the retaining nut while another person twists the bottom so the shock is easier to come off? Details, details..........I am seeking any advise on just how to make this smooth and trouble free with a focus on the details.

Thanks
Bob
73.5T

djmcmath · 09-24-2004, 05:25 AM

It's easier than you think. The top of the schock is designed so you can put a wrench (of some kind) on it to keep it from turning while you pull the nut off. You can't hold it from below. Different shocks have different "wrenchable" shapes, too -- my Boges had flat spots on either side, fitting an open-ended adjustable box wrench perfectly, for example. After you pull the top nut, the shock will fall out of the car. If you have an assistant, you may wish to have them handy for this part. Alternately, you can do what the shop manual says and pull the shocks with the car on the ground, then pull the top first. Then it won't come apart till you pull the bottom. There's nothing funky in the tunnel that needs to stay.

Cheers,

Dan

Sunroof · 09-24-2004, 07:31 AM

Thanks Dan...
The tunnel issue was what concerned me. What about the torque on the top nut? Any suggestions?

Bob

djmcmath · 09-24-2004, 07:42 AM

I can check the book when I get home. It's a fairly small number, like 17ft-lbs. Some have recommended merely tightening until the rubber begins to compress. "You know when it's tight." The bottom bolt is fairly heavy, otoh -- like 98ft-lbs, iirc. I could be wrong -- I'll post the real numbers from the shop manual when I get home.

Dan

Sunroof · 09-24-2004, 10:57 AM

Thanks Dan........you da man!

Bob

djmcmath · 09-24-2004, 07:06 PM

18 and 92. I was really close. You would have been close enough had you used my above numbers.

Let us know if you need anything else.

Dan