Front lower shock mount

Andy_A · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject: Front lower shock mount

Ok. I was just replacing all the shocks on my 67 microbus, and I got the rear ones on just fine. In the front, the top mount is a bolt that goes straight through the shock and fits fine also. My question is concerning the lower mount. It appears as if I must take out the inner metal bushing of the shock, because on the old shock this inner metal bushing wasn't there. There is just the rubber bushing which connects to the larger shaft of the stud. So, can I just push this inner metal bushing out of the shock? And, how should I go about doing this? Thanks, Andy

Bongo · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:54 am Post subject:

My method: Vice, dowel, hammer.
Don't know if it's the right thing to do, but there was no way it was going on there with that metal bush. I assumed that the shocks weren't split -only nad that the bush was there for other vehicle types.
_________________
1964 Standard
1962 Single Cab
2002 Golf St.Car

Andy_A · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:38 am Post subject:

thanks for the reply, that's just what i wanted to hear. So now I can get back to fixing my bus in -5 temps.

rizzag · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:05 am Post subject:

NO!!!!!!!!

the old shock bushings are on the lower mounts. they are just stuck there. to get them off use a combo of a rust penetrant, torch, visegrips to grab and swivel and a hammer with a chisel to hit at an angle to push it off. an air chisel works great for that if you have access to one.
_________________
flossin, tossin, dippin, and trippin

Clara · Samba Member Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12655

chrome · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:47 am Post subject:

my methood is usung a neumatic die grinder and cutting a split in the bushing so it will spread apart, then taking a chisell to help spread it and break it free, only takes about 10-15 minutes per side,a dremill will work for this but finding quality disks for them is another story do not remove the bushings from your new shocks !!!! it doesnt work
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65 21 window
57 T1 ragtop
58 ghia vert
68 fastback
73 Thing
74 Thing
54 chevy 210
63 mercury meteor wagon

Bongo · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 9:27 am Post subject:

I can't figure that. The lower mount on mine has a collar on it which means that it's impossible to get anything other than a flexible material past it. the inner diameter of the bush in the shock was smaller than the outer diameter of the collar, rendering said bush useless. Be interested to hear if anyone else has a similar experience. I appreciate theat there is some flexion which will wear the rubber over time, but the fit is so tight and well greased that I don't see a problem.
_________________
1964 Standard
1962 Single Cab
2002 Golf St.Car

VWBobby · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:43 am Post subject:

Bongo,

The collar you see is probably an old bushing thats fused itself to the lower shock mounting stud. Do you happen to have any pics of the mount?

ToolBox · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

Andy_A · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject:

Well, after school and work I went out and took a look at the bushing. They are both really stuck on there, and i have neither an air chisel or a torch at the moment, so i was a bit stuck, and, it is at least 5 below 0 outside, my garage has no real heat, besides my little propane heater and a mediocre stove, so I was stopped for the night. Thanks to everyone for helping out. Andy

Bongo · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:41 am Post subject:

Just so happens that the beam is on the bench at the mo' so I'll investigate. To be honest, I'll be chuffed if it is an old bush. The mounts are pretty gnarled I have to say. I was thinking about taking them down and welding a sleeve on them anyway. I guess this thread has pushed me in the right direction. Cheers Andy! I sympathise with your temperatures, same here, bloody annoying when you're trying to study something up close and you can't see through your breath!
_________________
1964 Standard
1962 Single Cab
2002 Golf St.Car

Andy_A · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

Borrowed an air chisel from work today and man what a difference! It didn't take very long at all with the chisel. Thanks to everyone for their replies, Andy

rizzag · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:54 pm Post subject:

bugboy63 · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject:

well now i don't feel so dumb.... Embarassed

been trying to put new shocks on my 64 westy...
been havin' the same problem Evil or Very Mad

this web site is great Very Happy

Long-roofs · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

bugboy63 · Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:47 pm Post subject:

update:
took some liquid wrench spray, 14" pipe wrench, small hammer & alot of patience Very Happy

...got the old bushings off with a little werk Razz

...got the new shocks on just fine......put a little grease on the studs too...

DannoT · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject: can't get old shocks off!

My teenage son is in our freezing garage turning the air blue! He's gotten the bolts off the shocks top & bottom on the front of his stock 67 bus, but the shocks won't slide off the studs. He used Knock R Loose & WD 40 but we don't have an air hammer or a torch- just the usual tools. Any advice? Besides soap in his mouth? Thanks, Mom

DannoT · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: OOPS

Correction- He's gotten the nuts off. I get nuts & bolts mixed, Sorry, Mom

campingbox · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: can't get old shocks off!

cdennisg · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject:

I have had to cut the bottom of the shock apart with a grinder, then cut the rubber bushing with a utilty knife, then remove the inner metal bushing with one of the many methods described previously.
_________________
Confusious say it takes it takes two wipes to know you need three, but it takes three wipes to know it only needed two.


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