|
By Richard - 12 Years Ago
|
Anybody had any experience with shock extension on the rear. The help get the tire out, but look like they leave the shock stem as a brittle weak point.
Thanks
|
|
By gekko13 - 12 Years Ago
|
|
Are you trying to raise the rear of your car? Shock extensions won't do that by themselves. To raise the ride height, you need to replace the springs with higher rate units or re-arch the ones you have now.
|
|
By Talkwrench - 12 Years Ago
|
|
No I think he means extending the shock length so when the car is jacked up suspension goes further and he can get the wheel off. Im having that problem with the shocks I have . I have never seen shock extensions?
|
|
By Richard - 12 Years Ago
|
|
Yes its to lower the suspension when jacked up to get the oversize tires in and out. I will post a photo shortly.
|
|
By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
|
|
There is a better choice-replace the shocks with Gabriel G63398.These were originally for a Ford pickup front shock.They are longer which allows the wheels to drop farther.I have used them as well as several other members.They can be found at very reasonable prices on Ebay .Sand them off and spray black and no one can tell the difference.For some reason the shocks specified for 55-56 Ford are too short to allow the wheels to drop far enough when raised off the ground.I just did a search on Ebay for "Gabriel G63398".There are at least 3 listings for pairs under $30.00.These are brand HD new gas shocks.Suggested fronts are 82026.Harder to find though.
|
|
By Talkwrench - 12 Years Ago
|
|
I used those shocks Mark and didn't have success ...I think I got a dud set, went back to the standard gas shocks that came with the car and it was better.
|
|
By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
|
|
You must have got duds.Several of us have used them.What was the problem?
|
|
By gekko13 - 12 Years Ago
|
|
If it is a matter of total travel, a stud extension (I think that is what you are describing) will allow the axle to extend to a longer distance but it will also fully compress sooner in the opposite direction. You should be able to find catalogs that list total travel, i.e. compressed O.A.L. minus fully extended O.A.L. for their various models. Compare that with what you have now and go from there. I have used the extenders in the past but they are a "bandaid" not a permanent solution to your problem. I actually ended up reusing the extenders to lengthen the shift levers on a Ferguson tractor.
|
|
By Talkwrench - 12 Years Ago
|
|
They never seemed right, if I held them by hand I could easily pull them in and out, and didnt seem even either, for a truck shock I would have thought quite hard to compress, I thought maybe it was special valving but nah wheren't that great on the car.
|
|
By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
|
|
Sounds like they were defective.Gas filled.As soon as you remove the wire keeping them compressed for shipping they extend.You have to fight to get them compressed short enough to install.
|
|
By 55vickey - 12 Years Ago
|
|
Got my Gabriels at Rock Auto and they work great and my car is quite low, no trouble getting the wheels off, just getting a jack under it.
|
|
By Richard - 12 Years Ago
|
Here is a photo with extensions. I think I will go ahead and get the Gaberials
|
|
By oldcarmark - 12 Years Ago
|
|
I had extensions on mine at first because I could not get the wheels off.I think the ones specified by most companies are too short on extension.The Gabriels work great even though mine is lowered 2 inches they still heve travel room on compression.As I mentioned I gave mine a light sanding and sprayed Rustoleom Gloss black and they look stock.I think they come white.Best part is they are well priced i think.Likely because there is low demand for the original application(79 Ford F250).
|
|
By The Master Cylinder - 12 Years Ago
|
|
gekko13 (8/29/2012)
If it is a matter of total travel, a stud extension (I think that is what you are describing) will allow the axle to extend to a longer distancebut it will also fully compress sooner in the opposite direction.
That's a good point, one that concerned me. So I checked and the axel hits the bumbers way before the shocks bottom out because the axle is "raised" 2" further away from the shock mount/spring perch with the lowering block. I'm running KYB Gas-a-just shocks with shock extenders at the top.
If my KYB's ever wear out I may consider going the Gabriel route. They are about the same price I paid for the KYB's.
|
|
By Richard - 12 Years Ago
|
Not sure I understand. Compress sooner? Seems to me with all that extra travel of the extensions the leaf springs would the shock compress latter and never hit the bumper stomp.
Regardless I think a long shock is a good idea.
Anyone know the length difference between the Gabriel and KYB
|
|
By The Master Cylinder - 12 Years Ago
|
|
I took it as he meant the shock would bottom out sooner because at the same ride height the shock would be already be compressed the length of the extender.
|
|
By Richard - 12 Years Ago
|
Thanks for the help. I checked the Gabriel sight and the spec on the shock is about 3 inchs longer than my current K's. So they are on order 35 for a pair.
Life in SLO is great.
RIchard
|