Shocks - Which end up?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Is there a difference in how shocks should be installed? Which end goes up?
Is it "A" or is it "B" or can it be either? I have seen it both ways.

Simple mind, simple question.

[19Fordy]

I say B if its a conventional loop end shock. Hood on top.+
By the way here's a great shock chart.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/p...ck-lengths.pdf

[flatheadmurre]

I would say A is common since dustcover is usually attached to the piston end and moves over the shock tube.

[TJ]

I mount them like A.

[grumppyoldman]

The way the drawing is they should be mounted like "B", other wise they would catch all the dirt and mud in the dust cover. I say B. Al

[19Fordy]

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The original drawing is deceptive as it is difficult to distinguish which part is the dust cover - green or white?

[rich b]

The rod end of a shock goes up in most every if not all cases.

[51 MERC-CT]

The reservoir end as shown in 'A' goes on the bottom, whether it has a dust cover or not.

[Ford Freak]

With the exception of some shocks used for racing purposes (that can be mounted with the reservoir on top ) , the reservoir always goes on the bottom .

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

The reservoir end as shown in 'A' goes on the bottom, whether it has a dust cover or not.

Excellent point! The shocks that were put on the car by the former owner were on like "A" and looked goofy because they did not have a dust cover. I thought they must be upside down and the reservoir position did not even enter my mind. It is obvious now. The reservoir has to be at the bottom. Duph!

At 79 all of my memory is "in the cloud" but when I retrieve something it always comes back in a fog....

[flatheadmurre]

Little more to it then just reservoir down end of story...
A lot of the better gas shocks can me mounted upside down...
Mono tube shocks usually can be mounted upside down while the more common dual tube shocks don´t lik to be turned upside down.

[Pete]

Some tube shocks are DESIGNED to mount a certain way.
Some can be mounted either way.

Most passenger car tube shocks are mounted body down because of the shield can orientation.

Almost all race car shocks are mounted body up to reduce UNSPRUNG weight. Race car tube shocks generally do not have shield cans to save weight.

[Jim in Wisconsin]

A shock absorber would usually have more resistance on the up stroke than on the down stroke, like 70% up and 30% down. You can tell the difference when you are installing them.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by Jim in Wisconsin

A shock absorber would usually have more resistance on the up stroke than on the down stroke, like 70% up and 30% down. You can tell the difference when you are installing them.

Another good point Jim! Totally forgot about that too!
I guess there is more to this question than we thought, eh?

[Paul Bennett]

Hydraulics mount can down. Gas? - Follow this discussion as their is NO easy answer.

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showt...cks-Up-or-Down

[J Franklin]

I have some shocks with an arrow up.

[Randy in ca]

Originally Posted by Jim in Wisconsin

A shock absorber would usually have more resistance on the up stroke than on the down stroke, like 70% up and 30% down. You can tell the difference when you are installing them.

-

Rather than "up and down", think "in and out" or "compression and extension" and turning it upside down shouldn't have any effect in that regard I don't think.

[flatheadmurre]

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

-

Rather than "up and down", think "in and out" or "compression and extension" and turning it upside down shouldn't have any effect in that regard I don't think.

Your correct about the movement.
With the dual tube types one chamber is supposed to be filled with oil only and the other have some expansion room in it.
Turning it upside down gives you air pockets in places not wanted and the shock doesn´t perform as it should.

[grumppyoldman]

I'm only 80 and now I'm confused.Al

[Mart]

For 99.9% of shocks the bulky part goes at the bottom. Unless that bulky part is a dust shield, then it should go at the top.

Mart.