rear shock replacement detail

[Bukowski]

on the standard rear shock replacement, the trailing arm has to be lifted up enough to remove the bolt.

is this length supposed to be just a hair because it is just to relieve pressure, and not enough to start pushing the car up?

when the shock is off, should the trailing arm just sit there or will it shift around?

OH also, how far can the alignment be off by when going from a good alignment with a completely worn shock ...(if that is even possible)? is it possible to make useful measurements without the tools I have read about around the internet?

[Gawernator]

I only pumped the jack a couple times, it's just enough to line up the top bolt with the outside so you can slide the bolt out... be aware if it's corroded the bolt may seem to just spin, on one side I had to take vice grips and pull the bolt out actually.

[Bukowski]

I know I *should* get an alignment. but HOW BAD will an alignment be out of true if it was previously done with bad shocks AND THEN the shocks are replaced with new? i.e. HOW BAD can an alignment get back there?

[rhett]

I am no expert on suspension matters (there are many on this forum who are). However, I wouldn't have thought that the condition of the shocks would play a major part in the alignment of the suspension. The majority of the adjustment at the rear is generally made on the trailing arms, with very little being available on the torsion tube mounts, etc. Sway bars can be adjusted. The shock is mounted above the trailing arm and is a fixed component. The fact that it has worn operationally should not effect it dimensionally, so replacing the shocks (in my opinion) should not effect the alignment......but, if there is some suspension guru that can help I would be interested to hear their advice, etc.

[9FF]

rhett is correct. The shocks do not affect the alignment so you don't need one if you are just replacing the rear shocks. You could theroretically carry out an alignment without any shocks in place and it would still be good when you fit the shocks back in.

[Bukowski]

Originally Posted by 9FF

The shocks do not affect the alignment so you don't need one if you are just replacing the rear shocks.

to broaden the discussion a bit I take this to mean the front suspension is a different question?

[rhett]

Yep, the fronts are a different matter as they are attached to the hub carrier with an eccentric bolt that adjusts an angle (can't remember which one). However, that should be checked and re-aligned if necessary once disturbed.

[9FF]

Fronts are macpherson struts so the shock insert is built into the spring (at least on our cars upto 86). In the rear the shock is separate.

Same applies though, you don't need an alignment if you just replace the front shock inserts, that is if you can change them without disconnecting the strut from the spindle. It can be done, do a search.

[jeffrsmith]

You will need an alignment if/when you replace the front struts.

You would be surprised at how fast you can ruin a set of tires if the alignment is too far out of whack after replacing suspension parts.

[9FF]

You will need an alignment if/when you replace the front struts.



You would be surprised at how fast you can ruin a set of tires if the alignment is too far out of whack after replacing suspension parts.

Struts yes, strut inserts no. You can replace the strut inserts on the early cars without touching anything that affects alignment.

[Slam]

As mentioned, raise the arm just enough to get the top bolt out. Lifting the car by jacking the arm isn't necessary, or desirable. When installing the new rear shock, run your bolt in the bottom mount first, then play with the arm/shock until you can get the top bolt in. Then torque away.

On the early cars changing the front inserts is easy and does not affect alignment. Another reason the early cars are great... Changing rear shocks, as posted above, won't affect rear alignment.