Front Bumper Shocks

[Cocacolakidd]

I am doing a little experiment on the front bumper of my 85.5/944 and have seen where others have moved the bumper further back to be more flush with the front of the car. To me this says a modification of the bumper shocks is in order. So my question is if I cut off the rear of the bumper shock is it spring loaded or hydraulic - if spring loaded what direction should I aim the rear of the shock and how far will I have to go to retrieve the now loose part . Do the bumper shocks come apart normally or? How does one modify these???

Thanks.

[ideola]

The bumper shocks are filled with some type of hydraulic fluid. The technique I've always heard described is to drill a hole (where safety goggles) to drain the fluid, then compress the shock to the desired depth. To fix the shock at the desired depth, you can either weld them at the compressed length, or possible drill and insert a pin / bolt arrangement.

[looneybin]

i drilled out a bumper shock once to compress the bumper.
when the drill bit broke through it was like a fire hose of fluid.
Maybe a pint of fluid - It blasted all over me and the ceiling of the garage.
make sure you wear goggles and expect the fluid to be under a LOT of pressure.

[Grandad#3]

Why ruin your shocks unless you have another set waiting to be put back on your car? Remove the bumper and the shocks and measure what distance you want them to be and weld up a bracket to reattach bumper to the car. As stated above the fluid is under a heck of a lot of pressure. You not only need good eye protection, but also wear leather gloves. That kind of pressure can force its way into your skin and cause a bad infection.

Cheers,
Larry

[Cocacolakidd]

I do have another set of Bumper Shocks (eBay Specials $9.99 pr.). I will probably drill from the bottom with a 1/16" drill and aim the spray into a large garbage can. Then drill and pin from the side.

I will still have my original bumper shocks if I ever want to go back to stock - just put them on the shelf with other repair stuff for now.

Thanks for the info and the warning of high pressure oil -

[VII]

The oil is not that high pressured. I would say I got a couple feet of spray from both shocks if even that. It's easy, quick and the only danger is in getting some fluid on your shirt; no big deal. Shocks are cheap (as you demonstrated with your ebay purchase) so there is no point in going another route.

[Cocacolakidd]

Probably a hydraulic fluid under gas pressure?? The hydraulic fluid itself will not compress above the atomic level but a gas will compress...

[VII]

meh, some sort of fluid. Anyway, whip out that drill and get to work!