Installing shocks

[Wraith2097]

Gonna replace my rear shocks and I'm considering doing it myself. I've heard that the rear ones are very easy to change out. Can anyone point me in the direction of a guide to do so? What tools are needed? Anything I should keep in mind?

[Loochy88]

see my website (not cardomain) in sig

[Wraith2097]

Nice website, however everything but suspension seems to be working : /

[Need4Camaro]

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
Gonna replace my rear shocks and I'm considering doing it myself. I've heard that the rear ones are very easy to change out. Can anyone point me in the direction of a guide to do so? What tools are needed? Anything I should keep in mind?

Man I forgot all the sockets, I think you'll need a 13 MM for the bottom and a smaller wrench or deep socket to get them out the top...

You DON'T have to take the weight off the rear, infact taking the weight off makes the job ALOT harder! just go throw the car up on ramps and it's straight forward from there really...

[Loochy88]

Originally posted by Wraith2097:
Nice website, however everything but suspension seems to be working : /

its under my mods, and not in the suspension section.

click on z28 takeoff shocks.

its sort of a work in progress

[Wraith2097]

Ah I found it, thanks! But now I'm a little confused. Need4Camaro's info and yours is a little conflicting. I looked at the website and it shows that taking weight off the rear by using jackstands makes it easy to remove the springs. But then I'm told that not taking weight off makes it easier, which is right?

[Loochy88]

you dont want to have a lot of weight on the rearend, just a bit. the car's weight should be on the jackstands under the frame. i had just a little weight on the differential.

[Rabid Dog]

This is an EASY project. Why is this a problem?

Use two jacks, and jack each side up, via the forward SFC mounts. Loosen all the shock bolts, tap the bottom one out, and then slip off the spring and then the shock.

Go backwards for install.

[black98V6]

that bottom nut is WAY bigger than a 13mm. Anyway it's pretty simple man get you some ramps.
Back the car up on them
Open the back hatch.
Fold the seat down.
Pull the plastic "sail panels" up on each side. (the one on the passenger side is what covers your spare.
Pull the carpet forward.
In each corner forward where the sheet metal starts to curve down toward the floor pan there are a little piece of foam under that is the stud coming up which is the top of the shock. You will need a small crescent and a wrench to start off. I'm pretty sure it's a 13mm or something like that on top. Break the nut loose and have fun working it up. Takes a while because there are alot of threads and the thread locker makes it fun.
now go under the car break the bottom bolt loose on the shock and pull it off.
Do the reverse to install new shocks

[SpeedingFirebird]

Originally posted by Rabid Dog:

Use two jacks, and jack each side up,

and place jackstands under car. Never, ever trust a jack.