New Shocks - Old Shocks

[CUDA JAS]

Well I finally got around to installing new front shocks on my cuda.  I purchased some reasonable generic shocks, I am on a budget.

The old ones were on the car when I got it back in 91.  Holy crap, I should have done this a month ago when I bought them.  I pulled out to old ones, when you compress them (which is fairly easy to do), they do not extend, they stay right where they are!!!!!  It actually takes some effort to extend them.

When I checked them on the car they seemed ok (push it down and it came back to the starting position and did not bounce more than once).  The car floated a little on the highway, but man I did not think they were that bad.

I can not wait to drive the car to see how it feels. 

Jas

[hooD]

That's what my old shocks were like too, they were the originals from 1972. 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59940.msg617151#msg617151
The ride really wasn't that much different to me.  But I'm glad I have new ones on just the same.

[Chryco Psycho]

non - gas shocks have to be forced to move either way
 Gas cHarged shocks will extend under the internal pressure , if the shock was difficult to move it was probably still Ok

[Aussie Challenger]

non - gas shocks have to be forced to move either way
 Gas cHarged shocks will extend under the internal pressure , if the shock was difficult to move it was probably still Ok

     Also if they were the old non gas shocker they usually only worked in one direction so later style shockers should make an improvement.   

[Bullitt-]

My car sitting on 30 year old Monroe's did not bounce bad either, but when removed there was absolutely no resistance either way.

[CUDA JAS]

non - gas shocks have to be forced to move either way
 Gas cHarged shocks will extend under the internal pressure , if the shock was difficult to move it was probably still Ok

Hmm learn somethign new every day!!

The compressed with out much effort...So i think it was time to change them.

Did not get the car out on the weekend, so not sure yet, looking forward to this weekend!

Jas

[CUDA JAS]

well I finally got to drive the car this weekend...MAN what a diffeence.

That car is so much more stable on the road. Should have done this a while ago.  Wife says I need to do the rear now.

I alos adjusted the steering box abit, wow, that made a difference as well. The steering is so much tighter.

Jas

[67vertman]

I just bought four new Edelbrock shocks for mine, based on this thread.   


I will get a chance to put them on this weekend. 

I will let you know how I like them.

[HP2]

Shocks are highly underrated by most drivers, but they are the heart of the suspension system. Much like a camshaft determines engine operating range and temperment, shocks determine how well all the suspension parts work together. All springs and hard parts do is hold everything up, but the shocks are in control of how things happen.

[dodj]

I just bought four new Edelbrock shocks for mine, based on this thread.   


I will get a chance to put them on this weekend. 

I will let you know how I like them.

Well..Did you like them? My rear shocks are shot so I'm looking for recommended replacements.

[67vertman]

Well..Did you like them? My rear shocks are shot so I'm looking for recommended replacements.

Yes I like them very much.  The car now handles better and the ride is great, stiff but not so much that it a ruff ride.  Side roll is minimal and I gained 1" clearence ove the old worn out shocks. 

[dodj]

Which way did you install the rear shocks..with the rubber boot toward the top, or the bottom? It didn't specify in the instructions. I think they go in with the boot at the bottom but that seems the opposite to the way the old shocks were. If the boot is near the top, getting the rubber pretty close to the exhaust.

[67vertman]

Mine showed the boots towards the bottom.  so that is how I installed them.

[dodj]

Thanks 67vertman.

[HP2]

Many of the old style shocks had to be mounted a certain way to work properly.  A number of new gas shocks can be mounted in multiple positions and still function. By mounting the rod end of the shock to the suspension instead of the body end, you can slightly reduce the unsprung weight the suspension sees.