Rear Shock Problems-maybe major?

[fillupd]

I'm working on my 1978 Spider 124 and just finished putting new complete A-arms (from auotricambi-Thanks fit like glove) , shocks, all tie rod ends, sway bar bushings and center link. Front end looks great and was pleased with the installation of everything.
Then I hit the rear shocks. I think I'm having some serious problems? Looks like most folks on here just remove the lower shock bolt. Mine looks like it settled down into the springs and there is no way to remove it. I have taken a few pictures but I don't know if anyone can see a problem or has ran across this before.
Is there an answer to get the shocks off. They are both like this.
It seems like the bolt should be above the blue bottom but the bolt will hit the spring dish before it can come out.
I can move the spring around but there is no room to get the bolt to slide out of the shock bottom.
I have learned soooo much from fellow members, I hoping there is someone with a trick, or is my shock support in serious trouble and sunk out of sight.

[4uall]

my understanding is that the lower bolt should certainly be above the spring seat (blue ring). If possible a big screw driver or small crowbar may pry the shock back up. Another approach may be to undo the top bolt then remove and inspect the shock and lower mounting.



http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... ear+shocks

[azruss]

I removed the lower shock bracket from the spring base and lifted it up til i could get a wrench on it through the spring. I real PITA but doable.

[redcars]

Òn that style you remove the brakets that the lower bolt goes through from underneath. You can then raise it up and get the bolt out. When Fiat changed axles in 79 theyes raised the bolt holes and you don't have to do this.

[fillupd]

Thanks, I can see what I need to do now. I am going to have a tough time getting a wrench or wobbly socket on those nuts up there. I can see why the design change was made. The comment of a real PITA is correct.

I do want to Thank everyones posts and pictures of the front suspension replacement (and a hundred other things). They helped me so much I'm not sure I would have made it through without this forum.

[fillupd]

All Done. That wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I did wrestle with the bottom bracket trying to get my shock in, then finally just removed it all the way and bolted my shock on while at the bench. Went much easier after that. The Pass side was a breeze.
I'm going to get it over to the Toyota shop. They have a brand new state of the art alignment machine. So I have new tires, new shocks, and a new suspension under the front. I'm all revved up.
Thanks for your help.

[70spider]

Congratulations. By the way did you replace the bushings in your rear trailing arms?

[fillupd]

No bushing work on the rear end. I suppose that is something I should take a good look at though. Do you think that is something that may effect the alignment?

[DieselSpider]

No bushing work on the rear end. I suppose that is something I should take a good look at though. Do you think that is something that may effect the alignment?

If they are worn then your thrust line will be shifting as you drive which can cause crab walking down the road and depending on the bias at the moment can make the rear wheels more prone to sliding out to the side during hard stops.

[70spider]

If they are worn then your thrust line will be shifting as you drive which can cause crab walking down the road and depending on the bias at the moment can make the rear wheels more prone to sliding out to the side during hard stops.

I am glad to hear someone describe the sysmptoms of worn bushings in the rear. I really had no idea, I just know what my car does and the rear suspension is shot. When downshifting and braking it feels like the rear dog-tails to the right and if I take a turn to quickly the rear shifts, especially a right hander. I don't know much about suspension but I figured I would change out the bushings when I replace the shocks and springs and hope I solve the problems.

[fillupd]

The car drives and rides great. I ended up with one swing-arm bolt that wouldn't torque but got pretty tight. I bought four M12 x 80mm 10.9 nuts bolts from Caterpillar. They're supposed to be the strongest bolt you can buy, hope so. All four are going to be replaced and re-aligned tomorrow.

It was kind of strange but I mentioned getting bolts from Fastenal and a mechanic said, glad its your suspension and not mine. Cat bolts are much higher quality. I would have thought that a 10.9 class bolt is a 10.9 class bolt but there are other opinions out there, but you know what they say about opinions...

I'm going to explore the back end now and have all the parts to rebuild the driveshaft. There is a rear joint that is worn.

[DieselSpider]

I think the Airlines found out the difference between name brand bolts and those from bargain vendors. Remember the Douglas engine bolt debacle which had entire jet engines falling off the wings of commercial jet liners. Somehow China seems to have been a major factor in all this.