Does anyone know how to change out the front shocks in a 72 chevy Nova?

Question

I have a 72 chevy Nova and I am needing to replace the front shocks because they are totally shot. The shocks run in-between the front coil spring. What is the best/safest way to change them out myself? I can't really afford to take it to a auto repair shop. Thanks in advance.....

Answer 1

There is a trick to this. The upper studs are visible under the hood. The nuts on them are 9/16". Use a deep 9/16" socket, and a long extention. Place the socket over the stud and nut, and move it back and forth from front to back until the stud breaks off. Then just remove the two 1/2" bolts from the bottom and drop the shock out. When you install the new ones, only tighten the nut on top until the bushings are squeezed down to the diameter of the washers.

Breaking off the studs saves you the trouble of fighting rust on the threads. I can do a pair in about 10 minutes. Nothing to it.

Answer 2

Best way to replace them is to jack up the a arms and remove the wheels as you'll need the room to put a long wrench or breaker bar, they are usually hard to remove. First look for a stud under the hood, its usually a stud about 2 to 3 inches long where the shocks protrude thru the wheel well, remove that nut, or nuts depending on the locking type was used ( some use lock nuts, lock washers. etc) then remove the bottom two bolts from the a arms, its 1 hour job to do both of them, the only hardest part is removing stuck bolts and nuts as they rust quite frequently.

Answer 3

Jack the front susp. up and place the stands under the lower A arms, (make sure you leave room for the shocks). You may have to cut the 2 bottum bolts, (you`ll need new ones anyway). The top nut will probably need to be cut as well. Then simply install the new shocks w/ new bushings & bolts, and your off. Note: w/ the jacks under the lower A arm (put the stand right under the ball joint) your springs will be compressed, so you`ll have no problem sliding in the shock.

Answer 4

If I remember correctly, your shocks have one mount on top and one mount on bottom. On top mount just take vise grip and attach to the tip of the unthreaded area and break the nut loose with a wrench & on the bottom use a ratchet and socket on the two bolts threw the ears, but all this is after you have the car jacked up and the wheel off.

Answer 5

Had air shocks on mine and took them off. tough happening the line, gained,t enable chassis artwork correct around corners and destructive attempting to get traction on launch. Get familiar shocks and if the rear end is sagging circulate forward and replace the leaf springs. fee greater to try this yet incredibly worth it in long-term.