Short shocks on rear of 55

[grumppyoldman]

Found that the rear shocks will not let the rear axle drop down far enough to get the tire and wheel off the axle. Had to disconnect the bottom of the shock so I could get the tire on. What shock length should I use on the 55 rear end? Al

[JeffB2]

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

Found that the rear shocks will not let the rear axle drop down far enough to get the tire and wheel off the axle. Had to disconnect the bottom of the shock so I could get the tire on. What shock length should I use on the 55 rear end? Al

I had the same issue on my '54 which uses the same shocks the new Gabriel part number was 81270,I took one off and the extended length compared to the old original shock was almost 2" shorter so i had a pair of these in my parts bin and it solved the problem: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-1290

[grumppyoldman]

Thanks Jeff, got em ordered. Al

[Ole Don]

I always carried two 9/16 wrenches to loosen the lower shock mount and lower the axle. I had lowering blocks, so mine may have been a bit off from when new.

[grumppyoldman]

Got the extensions installed, works good tire comes right ofrf now. Thanks for info. Al

[JeffB2]

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Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

Got the extensions installed, works good tire comes right ofrf now. Thanks for info. Al

Glad it worked for you

[Jwawhite]

I installed a rear sway bar, the differential is now "connected" via clamps, sway bar/ bolted to frame.

The differential hangs just enough to push the lower portion of wheel inward to get wheel off studs. The body needs to raised a certain distance to work.

Heavy sway bars front and rear has greatly improved handling on the Frankenwagen.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by JeffB2

I had the same issue on my '54 which uses the same shocks the new Gabriel part number was 81270,I took one off and the extended length compared to the old original shock was almost 2" shorter so i had a pair of these in my parts bin and it solved the problem: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-1290

Originally Posted by grumppyoldman

Got the extensions installed, works good tire comes right ofrf now. Thanks for info. Al

Just something to watch out for...
How does the overall 'compressed' length of the shock compare?
If the shock with extensions is now too long the shock may bottom out before the axle hits its rubber bump stops. That can damage the shock internally, shortening its life very quickly.
.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Just something to watch out for...

How does the overall 'compressed' length of the shock compare?

If the shock with extensions is now too long the shock may bottom out before the axle hits its rubber bump stops. That can damage the shock internally, shortening its life very quickly.

The extenders would make the shock too short in it's designed travel and if it hits the internal stop, may well damage it.

Those things were designed for the few that jacked-up the rear without regard to proper shock travel or used air bags whereas the shock travel would not be that much different from stock travel.

[LD-Ordie]

Had the same problem on my 55 Courier. These extensions did the job