Just Installed NAPA rear shocks

[simd0ggie]

The ends seem a bit narrower than the Boge that I removed. Seems like I am squeezing the bracket together to get them tight. I tried not tightening them too much and bending the brackets together, but they knock when I drive. Anyone else deal with this? I thought I read a post a while back, but now cannot find it...
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-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

[VanWilder]

Interesting. I just replaced all of my shocks with some Gabriel Ultras. Inexpensive and very happy with them.

Mine fit nice and snugg in those bolt brackets. I assume with no photos that you are referring to the space inside the brackets. You have lots of play? I would think that the spacing is pretty standard for all shocks.

I think you have the wrong shocks on there.
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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

[Ahwahnee]

Not ideal, but perhaps you could introduce a washer or two between the shock fitting and the baracket (i.e. inside the the bracket) to take up the excess and allow full tightening.

[riceye]

If the clearance is no more than 1/8" or so, tighten them down... Tight! The metal sleeves inside of the rubber cushions of the shocks should be held tightly within the mounts on the frame of the vehicle.
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'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads

There's gonna be some changes made.

“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee

"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig

[simd0ggie]

Okay, so I cranked them down tight, all seems fine... But I'm looking at Bentley page 42.3, showing how to press in/out the shock absorber bushings. Was I supposed to press them into the new shocks? The new shocks seemed to already have the right hole in the end, now I'm feeling a bit retarded.
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-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

[seanjenn]

I got these shocks on my van as well. There shouldn't be too much play, maybe a little, which is not a big deal. Don't worry about swapping bushings either, just tighten them down real good.
The nuts on those lower bolts like to back off, so a little blue locktite works wonders. Better yet, replace the old nuts with the nylock variety.
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1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd

[simd0ggie]

Okay, great. I'm just feeling stupid tonight...
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-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

[VanWilder]

[simd0ggie]

Their great. Definitely an improvement, especially over the bridge in windy conditions today. It's funny, all the cars I've had, and this is the first time I ever ~changed~ the shocks! I've removed and reinstalled them, but never switched to a different brand, and I don't like little dimensional differences very much... Thanks
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-Matt
'85 Westfalia w/EJ25, '14 Tiguan R-Line 4 Motion

"There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.”

[alnvilma]

I had the knocking on rear shocks with new Monroes. Tightened them up real tight and end of the noise. Talking shocks; the Monroe shocks are relatively cheap but too firm. Just ok for the heavier rear end but just beat the tar out of the front end till I swapped them out for non-gas pressurized Mahle (sp).
Now the ride is so much better!

[brickster]

Bringing this thread back from the dead because...

PO installed these NAPA shocks (yes, they're completely shot!), and to accommodate the narrower sleeves the 'technician' cranked down the bolts. This has bent the body attachments inward. My new shocks (Bilstein XHDs), which are the stock width, are now too wide to fit.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to bend the body mounts outward a few mm? I've tried using a pry bar, but the attachment point steel is thick gauge and in an awkward location to get much leverage or apply a BFH.

I thought about creating a leverage device with a bolt and some nuts and plates where I could turn the nuts to force the plates outward. I'm not sure exactly how to implement that and I'm open to any other ideas.

[mikemtnbike]

hammer in a wedge is my first thought. Like literally a metal wood splitting wedge, sideways. Just a first thought. May be a dumb one.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[DanHoug]

can you narrow down the jaws on a large cresent wrench and put it over the ears to bend with? a cresent is always my go-to metal flange straightener!
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[brickster]

[brickster]

[MarkWard]

It would be easy to fabricate a tool using a large bolt, a nut and a couple small plates. One plate drilled for the bolt and nut. The other plate to “press” of of. This will give you control over the task. Would not use the shock bolts for this. Don’t want to damage the threads.
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☮️

[ALIKA T3]

[brickster]

[crazyvwvanman]

I have done it that way a few times.
Threaded rod with 2 nuts and a washer.
Slip a putty knife or similar metal up in between your device and the threaded hole so nothing else contacts the hole threads while you expand.

Mark

[brickster]

The crescent wrench did the trick.

I’m having a difficult time getting the shock sleeve aligned to the upper body bolt holes on the last shock. Going to step away and come back to it.