C-2 rear shocks

[Robert V.]

Installed new shocks during the rebuild. When I started the car and was checking the gears (on jack-stands), I heared some clanking coming from the rear
upon further inspection, i noticed the left rear shock was moving at the top excessivly. There is about a 1/4" or more on both sides of the shock inside he bracket? Am I missing some bushings? I saved the old shocks and they are the same width. Any ideas??

[Eugene B.]

Re: C-2 rear shocks

Bob,
The rear of my '65 is apart, so I just looked at the shock mounts and the original shock absorbers.

Do your new shocks have the pipe type bushings inserted through the upper rubber mounts? You mention that the left side is the problem. How about the passenger's side. If it is tight, what is different between the two?

Good luck,
Gene

[Joe L.]

Re: C-2 rear shocks

Bob-----

The only bushings used at the upper shock mount on 63-82 Corvettes are those which are an integral part of the shock absorber assembly. These bushings are practically the same width as the shock upper eye and the eye, with bushings, should fit rather tightly into the frame bracket. I would compare the dimensions of the old shock upper eye to the new. If it's different, then you have the wrong shock or a defective shock. If it's the same, then I don't understand why you would have a problem. Even if the bracket gets "spread" when the old shock is removed, it should be restored when the nut on the upper shock through bolt is tightened. The bracket compresses to the steel retainer/spacer in the center of the upper shock bushings through which the shock bolt passes.

[Mike M.]

Re: C-2 rear shocks

would guess that once you put the car back down on mother earth and drive it , you won't hear the "clanking" noise.mike