Shock Install trouble

rmurad38 · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject: Shock Install trouble

My first question and post, please be kind Smile

,

Have a question regarding shocks that I hope someone can answer. I am replacing the shocks on my 1976 Bus, I purchased the appropriate KYB 343144 (front) 344045 (rear) When I went to install them (front first) I noticed that while the upper mount was fine, the lower had a larger diameter that would not fit through the lower metal insert in the bushing of the shock. I did notice that the original shock had the metal bushing insert at the top, but just rubber on the bottom. It was of course very old so its condition was not to be trusted.

So my question is there a different bushing set that fits into these shocks, or do the shocks themselves get modified (by removing the insert) or finally, do I actually, contrary to every resource I can find, have the wrong shocks?

rmurad38

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject:

Welcome,
Grind or somehow split the old bushing remaining from the old shock that's still stuck on the lower stud off, try not to grind so deep you mark up the stud.

Excellent first post by the way, very descriptive and to the point!
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Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50337

If the old bushing has a split in it, you can take a chisel and use it to open the split a bit. A pair of Channelocks or a pipe wrench can then be used to twist the old bushing off.

rmurad38 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take another look but to me it doesn't seem like there is an old bushing stuck on the lower mount. What I have has a small threaded section for the bolt then the remaining is smooth, slightly larger diameter then the threaded part, and somewhat longer then the shock itself. Not sure if being a new user I can post pictures yet but I will as soon as I can. Thanks again for the help!

wcfvw69 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:52 am Post subject:

Zelten · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:19 am Post subject:

I had the same issue when I first got my bus.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=408728&highlight=
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rmurad38 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks again for the help everyone, hopefully I'll revisit this later today torch in hand.

Tcash · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:41 pm Post subject:

The shock stud should be 12 mm.

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Jack_O_Trades · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject:

I just dealt with this this past weekend. As others have said remove the old bushing that came from the old shock.

However, I did not have to grind mine off. I couple shots of PB Blast and some vice grips was enough to remove the bushing.

rmurad38 · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:12 pm Post subject:

So...everyone was correct! i went to take another stab at this today and this time when I removed the shock, the insert came with it..the penetrating oil i put on during my last attempt must have done its thing. Moving on to the other side, the insert came out with the shock. So today I got both front shocks done. Also got 5 brand new RA-08 tires..was a good day for the bus!

So another question. Same shock but for the rear. Is anything above and beyond the shocks needed for the rear? I asked a well known vendor and they said I needed this $10 kit which looked like a bunch of spacers and metal inserts. Certainly no big deal if i need it I just want to do this right. Seems strange that the fronts bolt up but something else is needed for the rear? again, 1976 bus.

Thanks again for all your help!

Joey · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject:

You may want to read the following thread about the rear shocks...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=590596

You're going to find your 344045s are going to be too short when you install them...
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‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

kreemoweet · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject:

The spacer/bushing kit is for situations where the mounting eye bushings are not the same lengths as original, or the mounting
stud diameter is different than the one that comes with the shock. Not using the spacers where required will result in a bending
stress on the shock, and perhaps the mounting nuts running out of thread. You do not have to use the spacers in the kit, a stack
of ordinary washers will work as well.
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Russbus · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:12 pm Post subject:

Installing new KYB gas shocks for the '70 bus... all has well except for one problem.

Problem: removing old shock sleeves from both front lower mounts.

I've let the WD-40 sit for a couple of hours. No luck trying to yank it off with the vise grips. I've read the suggestions on this thread (grinding, splitting) but the sleeve has no seam and I don't trust myself to miss the mounting shaft if I attack the sleeve with a grinding wheel.

I probably can't be trusted with a propane torch either but may try that as a last resort.

So what do I try next?

Different penetrating substance? Longer wait time?

Any tips are welcome. Thanks.

kreemoweet · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:21 pm Post subject:

Pipe wrench. Will grip better than any vise-grips. Just don't twist the stud off!

It's also not a big deal if the mounting stud gets a little groove in it from the cutting wheel.

I am sure you will also want to apply a generous coat of anti-seize or some such to prevent the rusting/seizing from happening again.
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SGKent · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:53 pm Post subject:

Regular WD 40 does not free up rusted items. It is worthless for that purpose. You need some kind of penetrating oil. That will have phosphoric acid in it among other things that helps free up the object. Regular blue and yellow can WD 40 is a paraffin based oil that helps stop flash rust and oxidization for a short while.

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Russbus · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 1:13 pm Post subject:

Pipe wrench... never crossed my mind but I have a brand new, smallish one with sharp teeth - sounds perfect!

Liquid Wrench... that's one big photo! Don't have any, got some 3-in-1 but it doesn't say anything about penetrating or phosphoric acid so I'll go grab some LW and give it a try.

I can't believe I own a rusty old bus and don't know these things.

SG... Where can I get some stickers with your "stop aggressive driving" message?

SGKent · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 1:52 pm Post subject:


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