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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Rob on October 27, 2013, 06:46:57 pm

Title: Rear shocks
Post by: Rob on October 27, 2013, 06:46:57 pm

Hey Fella's, I think i may have a problem with my rear shocks. I lowered my 86 dually (flipped the rear axle to the top of the springs) So, I went to measure my shock post to order lowered shocks and found that they off from one another. My front shock post is 1 1/2 longer than the rear. Is this common?

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Captkaos on October 28, 2013, 02:44:20 am

I am not really sure what you mean.

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Rob on October 28, 2013, 04:44:18 am

The distance from the post mount on the axle and the post mount on the frame for the forward shock is 15 3/4, the rear facing shock is 14 1/2.

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: 79gmc15 on October 28, 2013, 05:30:29 am

Is your axle in square(placed right, measured correctly, etc.) ?

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Jason S on October 28, 2013, 08:06:41 am

Quote from: 79gmc15 on October 28, 2013, 05:30:29 am

Is your axle in square(placed right, measured correctly, etc.) ?

x2

Another thing to check:  Do your springs have the same amount of arch?  Is one side lower?

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Rob on October 28, 2013, 08:43:19 pm

After looking at the axle a little closer, it looks like the old perches are leaning forward a little(not much, 1/2" or so). This might be the issue causing the axle shock mounts to be a little higher on one side and lower on the other but the drive shaft is straight back and not tilted. I guess it's the nature of the beast when dealing with modifications.

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Captkaos on October 29, 2013, 08:46:05 am

Not sure what the driveshaft has to do with the height of the ends of the axles, but it shouldn't be straight, it should be sloping down.
I would check the height of both sides on level ground from the fenders down, and then from the bottom of the frame down on both sides.

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: 81_Chevy on October 29, 2013, 09:01:32 am

i think he means the angle of the drive shaft to the angle of the rear differential is straight, so the perches "seem" straight..

go with what Capt said

Title: Re: Rear shocks
Post by: Rob on October 29, 2013, 03:47:48 pm

The drive shaft is straight from the differential and back to the rear. The original perches that are welded onto the axle (which are now located on top of the axle) are tilted forward, but that is due to the axle flip kit I installed. Talking with a Rep from Gabriel shocks, he stated that it doesn't really make a difference if they are only off a inch or so, the shocks will work regardless.