Rear shock/spring installation

When I replaced my shocks with new Koni's I did not use a spring compressor and did not remove the exhaust, etc. I did, however, remove the sway bar.

I do recall having to put a little weight on the rear wheels (as if I was lowering the car back onto the ground) to get the right angle and get everything lined up. I do not know if this is he "right" way but it worked for me.

Hope this helps.

Devin

BD, I recommend a hydraulic or arbor press, and a pair of long forceps or needle-nose pliers to fit the split locks in place. Even with only a little spring compression, if something shifts during installation of the locks, you could break a finger. I made a crude jig from a 2" pipe fitting with an access window cut in its side. The jig sits on top of the spring retainer washer and is pushed down with the press. The locks go thru the window with pliers.

quote:

Originally posted by BD:
I removed the shock/spring from the rear to install new a-arm bushings. I have all the bushings installed and the a-arms back on and am now trying to get the spring/shocks back in. The sway bar is off too. Is a spring compressor typically used for this and if so what kind? I borrowed a Macphearson strut spring compressor from the local parts house but it will not work because the spring hooks are too thick to fit between the coils. The a-arms are hanging all the way down such that the half shaft is resting on the exhaust pipe. Should the exhaust be removed to reinstall the spring/shock assembly? I didn't remove it to get it out. Any help and guidance would be much appreciated.

I am not sure where you are at and what you are asking here?

You are talking at cross purposes.

The spring and shock assembly, as an assembly is very strait forward to remove and to install.

There is one bolt on top and bottom that is removed and with a rubber mallet basically drops out of the assembly.

Yes the rear anti-sway bar connection needs to be removed to lower the lower a-arm.

If you are asking how the shock and the spring assembly is dis-assembled, Boss Wrench just answered that.

You have to do that in a hydraulic press and you need to make a fixture for that for the top of the spring retainer.

It has to be pressed down far enough to remove the two retaining clips. The clips are held in place by the spring pressure.

Once the clips are removed, then you let the pressure up on the press and the entire assembly comes apart.

The Pantera is unique as far as I know and you are not going to be able to find anything generic to do this.

As Boss says, you need to fabricate a fixture that is essentially "u" shaped, out of 1/4" steel plate. Welded together and cross braced so it does not colapse under pressure and open on two sides so that you can reach the retaining clips.

Mine is made out of three pieces of 1/4" plate, 4"x 4", welded together.

I doubt many machine shops will have anything like this either unless they work on Pantera suspensions.

I haven't seen anyone selling these fixtures either. You have to make one.

I am sorry I guess my question wasn't clear. I have the shock and spring assembled. I am trying to get it back into place where it attaches to the a-arm on the bottom and the body support on the top. My question is how do I get the assembly (shock/spring) compressed enough to insert the bolt into the a-arm mounting location and the body mount?

If you have installed new rubber (original type) a-arm bushings, loosen the four bolts/nuts slightly. As an FYI, these bolts/nuts should only be tightened when the suspension is raised to it's normal "ride" position (i.e. tires on the ground).

As Doug mentioned, the sway bar needs to be disconnected from the a-arm.

Also, remove the nut at the muffler hanger. This will allow the exhaust pipe to drop slightly.

As a last resort, unbolt the exhaust collector flange bolts, or unbolt one end of the half shaft.

John

Can't remember myself having any issues when I replaced mine. Jacked the car up, disconnected the sway bars, and that's about it.

Might depend on the length of your shocks maybe..?

Thanks for your advice and help. I got the shock/spring assembly installed today. Removing the exhaust pipe/muffler opened up the space enough to get them installed.

I just replaced my rear shocks. Simply unbolt the top and bottom bolts, drive them out and pull out the shock/spring assembly.

Not sure what the problema is. I don't even take off the sway bar.

takes like 5 minutes to do.