what's the trick

[Speedy1]

MY new "heavy duity" shock for the engin hatch is not compressing Wayne says there is a trick for the install so whats the trick thanks for the help!

[magilla]

I had the same concern. I couldn't compress it for anything. We (I mostly watched) installed it on the firewall side and then on the decklid end (It doesn't need to be compressed to install) and the decklid closed fine. It is very stiff compared to the old one.

Good Luck

[Rot 911]

It should not compress easily. No, make that it should be a ***** to compress by hand! To install, first install on the body, then all you have to do is lift up the engine lid until the holes line up and slide the pin in. Once installed you will find that the leverage now allows the lid shock to compress quite easily.

[expat]

Yet again, I will add my 2 cents of experience to this subject.

My heavy duty shock was so hard to install I really had to push the lid up till the hinges were flexing their mounts. I finally got it on, closed the lid and it pushed the installed side up, twisting the lid. I sort of put up with it for a few months hoping it would, after time and numerous opening/shutting, 'release' a little. It didn't - I took it off. Now I'm back to using a piece of timber until I get around to buying an original one rather than the heavy duty Weistmaster (sp?) unit.

I know I'm not the only one - do a search and I'll think you'll find a thread on this about a year ago.

Just my experience....yours might be different!

[RickM]

I purchased a "locking shock" from Vertex that has solved my problem forever. It is well made and as you lift the lid you'll here a click...at that point the lid is supported. To lower you lift the lid a bit higher and it is unlocked and can be shut.
Update: I just called and they don't make them anymore as they weren't profitable. If anyone is interested I'll take mine out to see if it can be duplicated.
Rick

PS, Now if I could get the damned shock into the driver side of my front hood.

[HawgRyder]

Those "locking shocks" used to be on almost all British cars....for the bonnet...or hood.
Perhaps a nearby wrechers could supply one?
Bob

[david914]

Also, just remember those "locking shocks" were also used on the 356's. They were responsible for many lids being bent or worse, broken in two at the hinge area because the person closing the lid forgot to release the lock before pulling the lid back down.

[widebody911]

And VW bugs. And VW buses.

Originally posted by david914
Also, just remember those "locking shocks" were also used on the 356's. They were responsible for many lids being bent or worse, broken in two at the hinge area because the person closing the lid forgot to release the lock before pulling the lid back down.

[Gordo2]

I just did mine last week so the tips are fresh in my mind.

Removed the old one. Be careful not to drop the pin or clip.

I installed attached the new one on the engine firewall 1st. Here's my tip. I had a hard time getting the pin in and lined up with the shock. Not much room back there to have the hands. I ended up using my bendable magnet (bought at Home Depot, piece of bendable wire with a magnet on the end). Bent it to a 90 deg angel, placed the pin on it. Held the shock in place with my other hand and lined the pin in through the holes no problem.

The hood mount was no problem. I just raised the hood up until it lined up with the shock hole.

Good luck, a million and one uses for those magnets.

Gordo