To all,
Thanks so much for the help. I want to make sure that I pass on a record of
my efforts in case it helps anyone else attempting to perform the same task.
I got smart last night and was able to complete the installation of the
first shock that I began the night before and I also completed the second
shock. I looped the coated wire around the threaded rod, and made a loop
(bosun's knot...old sea scout knot) and pushed the free end on the wire that
I looped over the top of the shock through the knot (loop). I then pulled
tight and lashed the line to the frame. I had previously jacked the car up
by the pumpkin which compressed the suspension. I lowered the car and moved
the jacks to another position (Under the closest frame point). I should
have used penetrating fluid in the first place as replacing the lock nut
went so easy after I used it. The fluid also made allowed the other nut to
come off with little effort.
I secured both shocks with wire in the same fashion (one at a time of
course), not to compress them, but to keep them from expanding. It worked,
and I was able to put the bushings and such on without a hitch (After
cutting the factory straps). I placed a jack under the differential again
and jacked it up just enough so the threads of the shock were in the hole.
Then I cut the straps and presto...instant shock job.
I also installed a new mahogany steering wheel last night that I am thrilled
with. The car now has less rattle, glides over bumps, and handles
noticeably better. The steering also has less play in it which is very
nice.
Just to think that I still have 2 more shocks worth of ride improvement to
install.
Not sure if I had mentioned before, but the old shocks were so blown that I
compressed them using 2 fingers to push the piston up, and they didn't
uncompress.
Anyway, thanks again for the tips. I am not sure if I am going to mess with
the front shocks this week, considering that my g/f is pretty pissed that I
spent the last two full evenings outside working on the car while she was
inside washing dishes, and cooking dinner.
Take care and thanks again for all the tips,
Dave
San jose, CA
SRL311-11648
>From: Vicki Burrows <gregnvicki@earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: gregnvicki@earthlink.net
>To: David Totah <dstotah@hotmail.com>
>CC: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Shock Installation questions...help needed
>Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 21:31:11 -0700
>
>I too remember spending hours under my car recently taking off those #@$%#
>lock
>nuts one tick at a time. I was sooooo pissed off that I actually sprayed
>them
>in starting fluid and burned the plastic out of them. There was NO WAY I
>was
>gonna put them back on one tick at a time again. Then I used loctite to
>hold
>them. They went on much easier. I think after that I went out and bought
>some
>racheting wrenches... good stuff to have. Regarding the shock and
>compression,
>I don't think you will have too much trouble... just make sure that you are
>ready to aim the shock as it expands and you might get lucky and hit the
>mount.
>Good luck!
>Greg Burrows
>
>David Totah wrote:
>
> > Last night I printed the installation pages from the 311s.org site on
>how to
> > install front and rear shocks. While it seemed easy enough, I quickly
>found
> > out that it was in for a long night of work. I spent 3 hours getting
>the
> > lock nut off the fram bolt at the upper fastening of the old shock.
> > I placed the new shock on the upper bolt, but an thinking of replacing
>the
> > lock nut with a regular nut and a lock washer. Any reasons I shouldn't
>do
> > this.
> >
> > Secondly, The new shock is already compressed. I am planning on
>securing
> > the upper part first and then cutting the compressing strap that is over
>the
> > entire shock. How hard is it going to be to compress this new high
>pressure
> > KYB gas shock to the point that I can place it in the old suspension
>hole
> > and then secure the shock?
> > Any tips on compressing the shock? I think someone mentioned that they
> > wrapped the shock with duct tape to keep it compressed.
> >
> > If anyone has a couple free evenings to help me out this week, I will
>bring
> > out the Bar-B-Q grill, season a couple of steaks/burgers/you name it,
>and I
> > will cook it.
> >
> > I would appreciate any tips or hints.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Dave
> > 69' SRL311
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> >
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