Well last night I finnaly was able to tear into the car and try to fix this drivers side rear shock insulator. I got the whole shock/spring assembly out, got the top nut off (that was a bitch). Well I begin to put everything back in and I immediately run into a problem, the spring is no longer compressed enough for the shock shaft to travel back through to the top where I can put the top bushings back in place and the top nut on. I go out to the parts store and buy a spring compressor, get back home and go back at it. I get the spring compressed and I run into another problem, this is where the picture comes into play and I try to explain this dilemma.



As you can see the old insulator took the biggest shit ever possible I think. My understanding is that there are 2 bushings that go on the shock shaft, the upper part of the bushing sits on the top of the insulator, and the bottom part sits below the insulator on the underneath side in the wheel well. Well when this insulator took a shit due to being rusted all to hell, somehow both halves of the bushing got fused together in the process of the insulator rusting. Does this make sense? In other words I could not get this bushing apart to finish putting everything back together. Now I gotta go back to satan and order new bushings if I'm correct.

I'm supposed to be in Chicago this weekend for an exhaust install, and I gotta have this shit fixed Friday.


Built shortblock 8.8:1 CP pistons, Eagle Rods
Built head w/ P&P by ERT
GST Muffler
injen short ram intake
magnecore 8.5mm wires
EGR removal/blockoff
front/rear strut tower bars
GSX dual piston calipers
High stall torque converter, Trans cooler, remote filter

Well I got the above problem figured out. Now here is the bitch... fitting the assembly with that damn spring compressor on up in there so there is enough room for the shaft of the shock to go through the insulator so I can get the top washer and nut on.

I could use some guidance/hints whatever, it seems like its almost impossible to get this bitch back in place.

Heres a picture...I know its on backwards, I had to stop on my way back from lunch break so I just snapped a quick pic. You get the idea though.



Someone help me out! I won't be able to check this after 4:30 p.m. today, thats about 3 hours from now.


Built shortblock 8.8:1 CP pistons, Eagle Rods
Built head w/ P&P by ERT
GST Muffler
injen short ram intake
magnecore 8.5mm wires
EGR removal/blockoff
front/rear strut tower bars
GSX dual piston calipers
High stall torque converter, Trans cooler, remote filter

I'm confused, what are you trying to do? Why don't you asemble the shock first then just install the whole thing to your car? or am I missing something?

Originally posted by coppereclipse95
I'm confused, what are you trying to do? Why don't you asemble the shock first then just install the whole thing to your car? or am I missing something?

werd.

Everything should be put together before you install.

I got it figured out now, I was making things seem more complicated than they really were. I have a problem doing that.

Thanks guys.


Built shortblock 8.8:1 CP pistons, Eagle Rods
Built head w/ P&P by ERT
GST Muffler
injen short ram intake
magnecore 8.5mm wires
EGR removal/blockoff
front/rear strut tower bars
GSX dual piston calipers
High stall torque converter, Trans cooler, remote filter