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Installing shocks [message #258675] Wed, 13 August 2014 08:23 Go to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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Ok, I've ordered replacement shocks (KYB from JimK) and have a question.

Is installation of these shocks as simple as it sounds in the manual? For instance, in the section on the Rear Suspension the instructions for installing the rear shocks is a paragraph five lines long. That's it. The instructions for the front shocks isn't much longer.

It can't be that simple...can it?


Bob


Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado
Re: [GMCnet] Installing shocks [message #258680 is a reply to message #258675] Wed, 13 August 2014 08:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Daniel DeLuca is currently offline  Daniel DeLuca   United States
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Bob,

I just did these, its is very easy. I had the front knuckles off so I had lots of access. I also had a huge breaker bar, which helped get the bolts off. Keep a little bottle jack handy incase you need to move something a little. You get some new hardware for the rear shocks, so make sure you get that lined up before you try to squeeze the shocks onto place. Good luck.

Dan
78’ Eleganza
Allentown, NJ

On Aug 13, 2014, at 9:23 AM, Robert Peesel wrote:

> Ok, I've ordered replacement shocks (KYB from JimK) and have a question.
>
> Is installation of these shocks as simple as it sounds in the manual? For instance, in the section on the Rear Suspension the instructions for
> installing the rear shocks is a paragraph five lines long. That's it. The instructions for the front shocks isn't much longer.
>
> It can't be that simple...can it?
>
>
> Bob
> --
> Robert Peesel
>
> 1976 Royale 26'
>
> Side Dry Bath
>
> Sterling, Va
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

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Re: [GMCnet] Installing shocks [message #258681 is a reply to message #258680] Wed, 13 August 2014 08:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thorndike is currently offline  thorndike   United States
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Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
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I figured I would need a breaker bar. Good thing I have this coupon at Harbor Freight! Coupon number 75981578 gets a 1/2" Drive 25" long breaker bar for $9.99.

Thought others might be interested!

Bob




[quote title=Daniel DeLuca wrote on Wed, 13 August 2014 09:30]Bob,

I just did these, its is very easy. I had the front knuckles off so I had lots of access. I also had a huge breaker bar, which helped get the bolts off. Keep a little bottle jack handy incase you need to move something a little. You get some new hardware for the rear shocks, so make sure you get that lined up before you try to squeeze the shocks onto place. Good luck.

Dan
78' Eleganza
Allentown, NJ


Robert Peesel 1976 Royale 26' Side Dry Bath Conifer, Colorado
Re: Installing shocks [message #258686 is a reply to message #258675] Wed, 13 August 2014 09:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
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thorndike wrote on Wed, 13 August 2014 08:23
Ok, I've ordered replacement shocks (KYB from JimK) and have a question.

Is installation of these shocks as simple as it sounds in the manual? For instance, in the section on the Rear Suspension the instructions for installing the rear shocks is a paragraph five lines long. That's it. The instructions for the front shocks isn't much longer.

It can't be that simple...can it?

Bob


Bob
I have only done the rear shocks but it was straight forward.
My thoughts..
Have the back end up on blocks under the frame.
Do not remove the banding from the shock -- use a small bottle jack under the swing arm to raise it in position to install the shock.
Mine is a 73 and I had to grind for clearance -- not something you will face.

Good luck,
Dennis


Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: Installing shocks [message #258746 is a reply to message #258686] Wed, 13 August 2014 18:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jtblank is currently offline  jtblank   United States
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Registered: June 2007
Location: Tulare, CA
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Senior Member
Yes the key is to leave the compression band on until installed, keeps the shocks compressed, then just cut the band. You will need a little bottle jack to line up the mounting points. Really easy!

John Blankenship '76 Palm Beach Tulare, CA
Re: [GMCnet] Installing shocks [message #258961 is a reply to message #258746] Fri, 15 August 2014 19:23 Go to previous message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Location: Belmont, CA
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Senior Member
It's been ages sine I hanged shocks, but I tell our guys to push the rear
arm up, so the shocks extend out.
Also need to realize that the inner fender does flex, so you an push the
wall in as you roll the upper bolt into the arm.
Also use little bit of blue Lok Tite on the top nut as it an loosn up.
Back in 1980 Wes Coughlin of Cinnerbar came up with a better upper mount
bolt system for the rear after we were all having that bolt loosening up.
KYB copied that concept when they came up with the shocks several years
later.


On Wed, Aug 13, 2014 at 4:04 PM, John Blankenship
wrote:

> Yes the key is to leave the compression band on until installed, keeps the
> shocks compressed, then just cut the band. You will need a little bottle
> jack to line up the mounting points. Really easy!
> --
> John Blankenship
> '76 Palm Beach
> Tulare, CA
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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