rear end hanging from shocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JointTech · 05-24-2014, 05:50 AM

will it break the shocks? I have jack stands under the frame now and no wheels on so the rear end is hanging from the leaf springs. (just put it back in today).

The shocks wont fit unless I jack up the rearend a little. But if I release the jack the weight of the whole rear end is hanging from the shocks. is that a problem?

what happens when you lauch over a train track and get airborne? rear end would be hanging from the shocks at that point as well right

Lee H · 05-24-2014, 10:01 AM

The suspension will bottom out before the correct shocks are fully extended.

**TBONE1964** · 05-24-2014, 10:10 AM

If that is a concern, you can use limiting straps like off road trucks use.

You can buy them in any length you need

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16...FagWMgodVDgAKQ

swamp rat · 05-24-2014, 12:31 PM

"What happens when you lauch over a train track and get airborne?"

The shocks will top possibly damaging the internal valving, limiting straps may work but its a band-aid approach, finding proper length shocks would be better, they should extend about an inch further than the mounts when hanging by the springs and the body small enough to allow the shocks to compress to about 1/2" shorter than the shock mounts when fully compressed.

**Stocker** · 05-24-2014, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp rat

they should extend about an inch further than the mounts when hanging by the springs

Seems like they should maybe extend a bit longer than that. Not so much what the measurement is when the axle assy is hanging free, but more like how long does the shock need to be when fully articulated. As in off-road, one side fully compressed & the other side fully extended. I'm thinking that might require a longer shock than just the hanging weight of the rear axle.

Not a good description but hopefully gets my point across. I understand we're probably talking about a 2WD truck, but some of us have been known to offroad with a 2WD.

And it might ensure the shock is long enough for any circumstance.

JointTech · 05-24-2014, 03:26 PM

so the answer is: no don't let it hang from the shocks while putting it back together in the shop? Im not going to be 4wheeling. Just a dumb joke at 3am.

Wrenchbender Ret · 05-24-2014, 04:07 PM

Cars & light trucks with coil springs have been hanging from the shocks for many years. It doesn't seem good but I have never seen it hurt the shocks.

05-24-2014, 05:50 AM	#1
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	rear end hanging from shocks will it break the shocks? I have jack stands under the frame now and no wheels on so the rear end is hanging from the leaf springs. (just put it back in today). The shocks wont fit unless I jack up the rearend a little. But if I release the jack the weight of the whole rear end is hanging from the shocks. is that a problem? what happens when you lauch over a train track and get airborne? rear end would be hanging from the shocks at that point as well right __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

05-24-2014, 10:01 AM	#2
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,147	Re: rear end hanging from shocks The suspension will bottom out before the correct shocks are fully extended. __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

05-24-2014, 10:10 AM	#3
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: rear end hanging from shocks If that is a concern, you can use limiting straps like off road trucks use. You can buy them in any length you need http://www.quadratec.com/products/16...FagWMgodVDgAKQ __________________ Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C

05-24-2014, 12:31 PM	#4
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: rear end hanging from shocks "What happens when you lauch over a train track and get airborne?" The shocks will top possibly damaging the internal valving, limiting straps may work but its a band-aid approach, finding proper length shocks would be better, they should extend about an inch further than the mounts when hanging by the springs and the body small enough to allow the shocks to compress to about 1/2" shorter than the shock mounts when fully compressed. __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

05-24-2014, 03:26 PM	#6
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	Re: rear end hanging from shocks so the answer is: no don't let it hang from the shocks while putting it back together in the shop? Im not going to be 4wheeling. Just a dumb joke at 3am. __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

05-24-2014, 04:07 PM	#7
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,228	Re: rear end hanging from shocks Cars & light trucks with coil springs have been hanging from the shocks for many years. It doesn't seem good but I have never seen it hurt the shocks.



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