Front Shocks

[bthieson]

Howdy,

I'm fairly new to working on cars, and I would really like to replace my front shocks on my own as one of them is squeeking fairly bad. My question is, if I jack the front end up high enough so that the wheels are off the ground, is there still going to be pressure in the shocks? I am trying to be very careful, and want to avoid hurting myself.

BTW, it's a 1972 Plymouth Duster 225.

Thanks.

 

[fishy68]

There might be some pressure on it if their gas filled shocks. More than likely their not gas filled shocks especially if their original. One important thing to keep in mind when jacking it up is to set it on a jack stand while working on it. Never trust any jack to support a car. Also wear gloves especially when working on the suspension. They can save fingers.

BTW: Are you sure it's the shock squeaking? I ask because shocks can squeak but generally don't. It's usually a control arm bushing or sway bar bushing that squeaks.

 

[bthieson]

There might be some pressure on it if their gas filled shocks. More than likely their not gas filled shocks especially if their original. One important thing to keep in mind when jacking it up is to set it on a jack stand while working on it. Never trust any jack to support a car. Also wear gloves especially when working on the suspension. They can save fingers.

BTW: Are you sure it's the shock squeaking? I ask because shocks can squeak but generally don't. It's usually a control arm bushing or sway bar bushing that squeaks.

Hmm..you raise a good point. I don't have a sway bar(Actually, I'm trying to put one in right now). Control arm might make sense actually. I will double check. The shock is only 2 years old, so was really frustrated when I found out that "it" was squeeking already. If it's the control arm bushing what would you recommend? Just replace it?

 

[fishy68]

If the bushings are original I'd say more than likely they all need replaced. You can try to locate which one is the squeaking culprit by spraying wd-40 on one at a time until the squeak goes away.

Even another possibility is a dry ball joint. Grease them and see if it goes away. If it does get a big prybar and carefully pry on the ball joints to check for play. If you find a loose one replace it.

 

[bthieson]

If the bushings are original I'd say more than likely they all need replaced. You can try to locate which one is the squeaking culprit by spraying wd-40 on one at a time until the squeak goes away.

Even another possibility is a dry ball joint. Grease them and see if it goes away. If it does get a big prybar and carefully pry on the ball joints to check for play. If you find a loose one replace it.

We may have found the culprit, but I won't know for a bit still. We were installing our shiny new sway bar, and noticed one of the ball joints was completely collapsed. We're going to grease it up next week. I'm fairly confident now that it's not the shock, but that joint. I noticed that the squeek only occurs after I drive it for a while. After a fresh start there is absolutely nothing for about 20 minutes of driving.

 

[fishy68]

Ok. I wouldn't drive it if the ball joint is bad. I did that when I was a kid and had one snap. No fun at all. There not bad to change on an A-body if you have the tools.

Let us know how it goes.