Shock Absorbers

[Paul In Ireland]

So, I got a knock in one of the rear ones on the way back home the other day. I have a spare one (even 2 I think), so can you tell a mechanically challenged person the simplest, safest technique to change a drivers rear shock? Should I change the rear pair if I have 2 or do I just replace the one? Even the best way to raise the car for changing a shock I wouldn't be sure of.... 

Thanks

Paul.

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Probably one of the easiest things to do on a car (famous last words, I know).
Jack up the car by the diff and get a set of axle stands under the diff. Remove the nuts from the top of the shocks (from in the boot recesses) then remove the nuts from the bottom of the shocks. Remove shock(s), reverse procedure with the new shock(s).

[Paul In Ireland]

Cheers Stinky - I'll give it a go!

[Paul In Ireland]

I figure I take the wheel off as well? 

[Paul In Ireland]

Famous last words is right!

The subfloor is cracked and the shock that is on has pushed it up a further inch or two. The shock I have was for an fe/fc and its reach is about the same length shorter than the one I took off. Is it possible an incorrect one was fitted leading to the trouble or the trouble was there and someone fitted a longer one to correct it? Who knows... 

Question is - do I bother fitting the new one I have as is or should I really get it fixed/rewelded first? Stupid question but I have a friend over from Oz getting married next saturday and it was to be the wedding car for them. If I replace the old one and just fit my new one and hope for the best and get it done properly next week or do I have no real choice in trying to get it rewelded first?

Bugger....

Oh yeah - the rubber bushing in the old one, do I just tap it out and put it in the new one or is the new one missing something??


Cheers,

Paul
 

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

If the old one is long than the proper new one, then it has probably bottomed out and caused the damage by punching through the floor. Putting the new shock in might damage it by over-extending it.
Put it all back as it was, drive carefully, then get it fixed properly.

[Paul In Ireland]

Okey Dokey Stinky...

[Ol_Girl_58]

Paul, I'll put up the picture that I took of the car from the rear, showing the effects of the sagging shock/floor. That's bad news, but from the photo, it looks like you have an ultra-low resto-custom. 

cheers,

Josh