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05-08-2017, 06:03 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 23
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Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Just bought a set of Monroe shocks. Bed is off so I thought it'd be super quick and easy, that was at 8am it's now 3pm. I usually take my time because of my disability but this is ridiculous, lol. I got the frame up with the tires in the air, I got the old shocks off, slipped in the top of the new ones and threw in the top bolt and went to do the bottom but it's not compressed and the bottom is about 4" from were it needs to be, when i give it all my muscle it gets to 2", should I disconnect the coils too?
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05-08-2017, 06:12 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Diego Co.
Posts: 1,172
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Try dropping the rear wheels to the ground to compress. Add weight if necessary. See if that helps.
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1972 Chevy C-10, SWB, Fleet, 350/350, PS, PB, HEI, mostly stock, Survivor. |
05-08-2017, 06:23 PM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fall River California
Posts: 2,026
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Quote:
So they're extended? Do you have a bar clamp you could use to compress them? Posted via Mobile Device |
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05-08-2017, 06:26 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ririe, Idaho
Posts: 136
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
I think he is saying the shock is 4" too long with the weight off the rear end so adding weight will give him the opposite effect of what he needs. That is if I understand correctly.
Spalma are you sure you have the right replacement shocks? I don't remember having much difficulty on my c20.
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67 c30 Cab and Chassis (ex motorhome truck) 68 c10 LWB 70 c30 Cab and Chassis 133" converted to Longhorn 72 K10 LWB Rust Bucket Hunting Truck |
05-08-2017, 06:47 PM | #5 | ||
20' Daredevil (Ret)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jefferson State
Posts: 13,682
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Quote:
Quote:
Couple things you might try, Spalma. Use a length of 2x4 like a lever to compress the shock, then slip the lower bolt in before the shock extends. Or jack up only one side of the truck at a time, then install that shock before moving to the other side. This might cause the top & bottom mounts to be a little farther apart.
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay |
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05-08-2017, 07:17 PM | #6 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Diego Co.
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Quote:
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1972 Chevy C-10, SWB, Fleet, 350/350, PS, PB, HEI, mostly stock, Survivor. |
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05-08-2017, 06:26 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: jackson michigan
Posts: 755
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
If you disconnect the coils it should help. Were they gas charged and you cut the limit straps before you installed them?
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05-08-2017, 06:54 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: jackson michigan
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
I like the 2x4 idea. If you have a long enough leaver set in the right position it should work.
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05-08-2017, 07:11 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Never heard of limit straps! I installed Monroe gas shocks and didn't know about that, but didn't run into any problems in my case... good to know though!
I take it a "gas charged" shock rebounds as soon as you try to compress it, is that the issue?
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
05-08-2017, 08:58 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 23
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Wow, what a job! Lol I tried the 2x4 with almost successful results, yes the problem is they are too long and loosening the coils was a last result since I've heard the bolts snap if you try to take them off, I was like 1/4" inch off when I used the 2x4 so I called my 14 year old son over to help me when he suggested using my "straps with the clamps" (my load straps) they worked beautifully.......awwwww these young minds
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05-09-2017, 11:56 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
So were these the correct shocks for the vehicle? Or will we be seeing a post titled "rear shock mounts broken after installing new shocks"
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
05-09-2017, 12:06 PM | #12 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
I have to agree. To check for correct shocks, measure the shock mounting points at ride height with the truck on the ground on its wheels. Then measure your shocks fully extended then fully compressed. The ride height should fall within +/-1" of the middle. It sounds like you may have shocks that are too long. Have you gone for a test ride yet? If they're too long you'll have little to no shock compression before they bottom out. My rear shocks were a breeze to install.
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
05-09-2017, 12:50 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Norfolk,Va.
Posts: 31
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Do you have a ratchet strap? If you do run it over the eyelets where the bolts go thru and ratchet it to where you can install them. That is how I had to do mine, and mine had overload springs on them. Just a thought.
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05-09-2017, 11:14 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 23
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
Hey guys, yes I have a ratchet strap, it's what I used. I'm 6'1 245lbs and would consider myself a strong guy(i broke my back in an accident and have metal holding my lower back together) it took me no time at all to put them on with the help of those straps, it was off by 2" by man muscle, is that too much? Haven't test driven yet cause I don't have a front seat. How can I see if it's the wrong set? They look good, how do I upload some pics
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05-09-2017, 11:49 PM | #15 |
Who Changed This?
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,550
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Re: Help! Can't get rear shocks on!
If they are gas charged shocks, yes, they will be hard to put on, if they are fully extended. I usually pull the limiters off and pump them up and down a minimum of ten strokes to make sure that they are bled out, because shocks laying on a shelf can have that problem. You can tell when the the first few strokes have it real easy in the beginning and then they stiffen up through their range (if that makes any sense). I have rear leafs on my truck and had a ***** of a time getting an arm in a position where I could get the shocks on. That nitrogen charge is pretty serious, in terms of pressure.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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