76LS1BIRD

iTrader: (35)

anyone ever try this? I was thinking of doing this
on a lathe at work. I was going to add groove 1''
down & same depth as factory groove. I know this
is a gas shock and has high pressure inside.


Thanks
pic..http://www.slponline.com/cad2004/cad..._5.asp?PIC=120

y2kmaroonz

iTrader: (3)

I would think you could add a groove to the shock but what are you going to put in the groove after you have it there? Im not sure how that ring fits the groove????

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

I would probably get a spare shock, and drill the bottom to vent the pressure, then cut it where you plan to groove the other one. If it is the same wall thickness, you may decide to go ahead with your plan (your call), but I'd be nervous just cutting on a pressurized shock (without researching another one by cutting it up). I'm not sure I like the idea, but if I were going to do it, that's how I'd probably go about it.

Or, I should say:

"Leave all shock modifications to properly trained technicians, shocks are dangerous, etc".

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

The dirt track guys do it all the time. It's a common practice.

But that is with AFCO or Carrera shocks. Not sure if Bilsteins, Konis or DeCarbons have a uniform wall thickness.

So, like Kevin suggests, experiement on a another shock to see how much wall thickness there is ...

Lil Mac

I'd be afraid of cutting open a shock.. but thats me.

If we don't hear from you again, I guess we know the results

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Typically your service manual will tell you where to drill them to vent the pressure (it's often at the bottom where the "heavy" ends are located). Just get a book, follow the procedure and drill a hole in it (usually they suggest doing this to any shocks you are throwing away). Then, cut it in half and measure the wall thickness.

76LS1BIRD

iTrader: (35)

Thanks for reples, i had old decarbon shock to test,
1st drilled .06 hole to vent pressure,worked good.
Used lathe to cut apart. The tube wall is .080 thick
The groove is .030 deep, so i am going to try this
on my good shocks.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Good luck, sounds promising. Of course, it's still a decarbon and you may not have exactly what you need for damping at that height. However, the decarbons have "lots" of compression damping, so you might be ok. I can't promise how it will ride though. Keep us posted.

76LS1BIRD

iTrader: (35)

My test shock was a decarbon, I regrooved
a set of bilsteins, I will get them back on the 76
tonight. I moved groove 7/8 thinking that would
lower car 1''.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Oh, I'd have preferred to test on the same brand, but they are probably similar enough. The bilstien may lack compression damping over the decarbon. I'm interested in how it works at that height.

76LS1BIRD

iTrader: (35)

Well, I finshed install,went for 1-2 mile test drive
and car is now 5/8 to 11/16 lower. I moved groove
7/8 and hoped car would go 7/8 to 1''. Time for
new alinement & more driving.

76LS1BIRD

iTrader: (35)

after driving 15-20 miles to get alignment the car
is now 7/8 lower. Thanks Trackbird.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Not sure what I actually did, but keep us posted on how it goes (after driving it a while).