Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

[Tommy B.]

Hi,I have just replaced the front shock absorbers on my 1959 Corvette. The difference in handling is amazing. I would like to change out the rear ones but just cannot figure out how to get to the top bolts, ie the ones just under the body that hold the shocks to the frame. I can see them from the side, but that's about it. Is there any way to access them from the top, or do you have to screw the whole shock to get them out. Once I get them out I can always figure out how to get the new ones in. Could anybody help me please.Thanks in advance

[Dan H.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Tommy, look for two sqare holes at the back in your convertible top compartment, covered by patches. You'll see the top of the shocks there.
Dan

[Al E.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Tommy,
Take a look at this link. https://www.paragoncorvette.com/c-23...-absorber.aspx
it can also be found in the C 1953-62 Service Guide ST12 found at this site for sale. I just bought mine.. lots of helpful information.

Al

[Dan B.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Did not see any "Patches" in the top area fo access . The way I did mine was simply to jack up the rear (support it well with Jack stands) free the lower mount and support the axle a bit with a floor jack, then get a wrench or a socket on the top nut and that's all there is to it. Reverse for installation. You can reach the mount from under the car when it's jacked up.
Dan

[Al E.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

I think he means the access covers when you remove the gas tank????. It maybe easier to just jack the car and put a socket on the nut, it is countersunk into the frame of the car with a hole just big enough to get a socket in there. I had the same issue 2 weeks ago.

[Tommy B.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Thank you very much all of you. Dan H., is Al correct in thinking that you have to remove the gas tank cover. That is not a big deal. I would prefer to be able to access the shocks from the top. Gives you more torque and a better grip of the nut. Again, thanks for your replies.

[Bill M.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

do you have to screw the whole shock to get them out.

That's what I had to do.

[Al E.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Thank you very much all of you. Dan H., is Al correct in thinking that you have to remove the gas tank cover. That is not a big deal. I would prefer to be able to access the shocks from the top. Gives you more torque and a better grip of the nut. Again, thanks for your replies.

I would not go into the gas tank cover. I would go under the car and reach my hand over the upper crossmember and use a socket to het the bolt out.

[Tommy B.]

Re: Rear shocks on 59 Corvette

Hmmm, I won't get to try this until late February seeing the car is in Colorado and I am in Germany. We meet too infrequently , so in the meantime thanks for all the tips and hints. I will let you all know what I finally did and how it went. Once again thank you.
Tommy