Topic: Shock Absorber bushing replacement

[petersixtfive]

Would anyone have a method or experience pressing in the top bushing of a 65/66 front shock absorber
Have a set of nice used correct dated shocks without a bush and also have a nos pair of bushes
Need to bring the two together
Would the front shock have a typical paint daub
Any ideas appreciated
Thanks

[J_Speegle]

Have the same bushing but have not taken the time to install them yet so no help

As for paint markings we would need alot more info.

What year car?

What is the engineering number on the shock?

Standard or HD/GT suspension?

[tobkob]

I replaced the bushings in my '69 Autolite shocks. I used a vise, sockets and greased them well. Here is a before and after photo. I don't know about your's but mine had the bushing painted along with the shock originally, so I painted them the same. All the other rubber is original to the shocks.

[petersixtfive]

tobkob,
            Did you position sockets on both sides of the shock absorber eye?
The socket that was pushing so to speak, was this sized to fit the rubber bush?
Did you modify the socket to fit over the mounting stem of the bush. ie 2 slots cut into the socket
Nice job on yours
Thanks

[tobkob]

Peter, It has been a couple of years since I did them but if I remember correctly I started off with the vise pushing directly on the shaft and a socket on the other end. I had to keep working it back and forth a few times as the bushing would slip on the shaft. I think I did push the bushing with a socket after it was partially through the eyelet. As with many of these task you have to have patience and go slowly.
TOB

[CharlesTurner]

I had an NOS upper bushing I tried to install on an original front shock, the rubber tore away from the shaft.  Ended up sending them to a Corvette guy that rebuilds shocks.  He actually cut open the top, inserted the bushing and then welded everything back together.  Not what I was expecting, but one way to do it.  Would much rather press them in if possible.

[Bob Gaines]

David Davis, does shock work. I am getting ready to send a bunch of rare shocks to him to have threads weld one ,bushings installed .He can even rebuild them. He is a good guy and forum member    .  www.dsdrestorationsllc.com

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks for the tip Bob.  Have worked with him on ball joint rivets and did a nice job.

[TLea]

David Davis, does shock work. I am getting ready to send a bunch of rare shocks to him to have threads weld one ,bushings installed .He can even rebuild them. He is a good guy and forum member    .  www.dsdrestorationsllc.com

great guy

[petersixtfive]

Successfully installed the top bushes in the shock absorber eyes by pressing them in
Will post a pic of the completed shocks once I finish painting them
Would the black paint for shocks be more on the glossy side of semi gloss?
Any suggestion as to the correct colored paint daub that may have been used near the bottom of the shock on a
Gt package
Also would original lower shock rubbers be typically marked with HARRIS on them
Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

Successfully installed the top bushes in the shock absorber eyes by pressing them in
Will post a pic of the completed shocks once I finish painting them
Would the black paint for shocks  be more on the glossy side than semi gloss?
Any suggestion as to the correct coloured paint daub that may have been used near the bottom of the shock on a
Gt package
Also would original lower rubber bushed be typically marked with HARRIS on them
Thanks

Shinier semi black, I have seen Harris on many of shock bushings after they were taken off because I can't tell when installed .

[outlawincorporated]

from my experience with original 65.66 shocks and rubbers.

the rubbers seem to have the following markings which are FORD HARRIS and the numbers 7-500969 on each rubber

post some pictures peter once completed.

regards.

PHILL BERESFORD.
MELBOURNE.
AUSTRALIA.

[rusty nuts]

Hi guys
Does anyone know where I could get the rubber bushes for these auto lite shocks (front & rear) and also the bushing for the spring saddle as well. I'm having no luck trying to get my hands on these. 

[Bob Gaines]

Hi guys
Does anyone know where I could get the rubber bushes for these auto lite shocks (front & rear) and also the bushing for the spring saddle as well. I'm having no luck trying to get my hands on these.

See reply #6 . I don't know if he will sell them separately (spring perch bushings too) but i have found him fair on his work and given the learning curve if you don't do them often as well as the time it takes it made more sense for me to have him do it all. 

[rusty nuts]

Thanks bob he's helping me out.