Front shock replacement - help!
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Massachusetts
Front shock replacement - help! I was trying to replace my front shocks. I've done this before on a 4th-gen F-body so I knew what to expect, somewhat. I don't have an impact gun so I went right to grinding the top nut off when I found I couldn't get it off otherwise (as I expected I wouldn't be able to) since it was so rusted.
Got that dremmeled off. Shock mount won't come off. (Every time I say this, note that I have stood on the shock and pounded the thing fairly hard with a clawhammer)
Got out my cobalt drill bits, picked the 5/16" one, and drilled down literally about 3 inches. Yes, I realize how much that is. (By the way, cobalt drill bits are awesome! It had no trouble with this at all in my Bosch 36v drill.)
Shock mount still won't come off. Noticed there's a lot more metal. Switched to the 1/2" bit and drilled down about an inch. I think this might have been a bad idea. Shock mount still won't come off, but I wonder if I've just ruined it anyway.
I would like to be at work in the morning. Can I save this or do I need to try and locate a new shock mount? Autozone doesn't seem to have them, and Carquest and Napa aren't open. I have an Advance near me, gonna see if they have anything.
Edit: Nevermind; Autozone has it. They list it as strut mount, not shock mount. But do I need to buy a new one? I can get a picture of what I did if you guys need one.
Got that dremmeled off. Shock mount won't come off. (Every time I say this, note that I have stood on the shock and pounded the thing fairly hard with a clawhammer)
Got out my cobalt drill bits, picked the 5/16" one, and drilled down literally about 3 inches. Yes, I realize how much that is. (By the way, cobalt drill bits are awesome! It had no trouble with this at all in my Bosch 36v drill.)
Shock mount still won't come off. Noticed there's a lot more metal. Switched to the 1/2" bit and drilled down about an inch. I think this might have been a bad idea. Shock mount still won't come off, but I wonder if I've just ruined it anyway.
I would like to be at work in the morning. Can I save this or do I need to try and locate a new shock mount? Autozone doesn't seem to have them, and Carquest and Napa aren't open. I have an Advance near me, gonna see if they have anything.
Edit: Nevermind; Autozone has it. They list it as strut mount, not shock mount. But do I need to buy a new one? I can get a picture of what I did if you guys need one.
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Well I went and bought a replacement shock mount - turns out I did screw it up by using the 1/2" bit. I got the old one off with a LOT of trouble. I don't see how it was physically possible for it to stick on, even after I got it off. I got a cheapass Gabriel one from Autozone, with inserts for the two screws, which of course both came loose (one of them is kinda in, but not tight), so I will have to get OEM-like replacements. I will be driving on it in the meantime :/ like a grandma, don't want that to mess up even more. Also my front swaybar is partially broken (already was when I took the tire off) so I will be upgrading to 32/19 or 34/21. Right now it's disconnected because the end link broke when I tried getting it off, so I have to REALLY drive like a grandma; that I'll be fixing tonight or right after work tomorrow.
Anyone know where I can get a good shock mount, OEM style, without paying much, ideally offline? I'll order online if I have to, but would prefer not to.
Anyone know where I can get a good shock mount, OEM style, without paying much, ideally offline? I'll order online if I have to, but would prefer not to.
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Well I went and bought a replacement shock mount - turns out I did screw it up by using the 1/2" bit. I got the old one off with a LOT of trouble. I don't see how it was physically possible for it to stick on, even after I got it off. I got a cheapass Gabriel one from Autozone, with inserts for the two screws, which of course both came loose (one of them is kinda in, but not tight), so I will have to get OEM-like replacements. I will be driving on it in the meantime :/ like a grandma, don't want that to mess up even more. Also my front swaybar is partially broken (already was when I took the tire off) so I will be upgrading to 32/19 or 34/21. Right now it's disconnected because the end link broke when I tried getting it off, so I have to REALLY drive like a grandma; that I'll be fixing tonight or right after work tomorrow.
Anyone know where I can get a good shock mount, OEM style, without paying much, ideally offline? I'll order online if I have to, but would prefer not to.
Anyone know where I can get a good shock mount, OEM style, without paying much, ideally offline? I'll order online if I have to, but would prefer not to.
BTW, is it just the front end-link or is it also part of the Front Swaybar itself? The reason I mention is because the endlinks are easily replaced with either "Moog Chassis Parts" versions or even "Energy Suspension" ones. Either are okay in that location. AFA SwayBar replacements go, 35/21 or Sam's 35/22 hollow set would be more ideal than 34/21 (provided a 34" diameter front sway is readily available).
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
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From: Massachusetts
Both the endlink and the end of the bar itself. The bar itself has like the ends smushed flat, so basically two pieces of metal that the endlink goes through, and half of the bar broke off at the end to a few inches in. It's still strong enough to help (if I get a replacement end link) but definitely not as much as it should.
So the Moog parts are definitely better than the Gabriels?
I liked Gabriel, too. I always liked their Ultra shocks for what they are (a low cost but good value shock... not for a Camaro, obviously). My opinion of them overall is definitely down.
So the Moog parts are definitely better than the Gabriels?
I liked Gabriel, too. I always liked their Ultra shocks for what they are (a low cost but good value shock... not for a Camaro, obviously). My opinion of them overall is definitely down.
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Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Hmm, anyone know if JB Weld might work for holding those inserts so that they don't spin, or do I really need to go spend $30 more for Moog (and try and get cash back from Autozone)?
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