i just bought a 82 mc and the guy i got it off of was in the middle of redoing the supension and he never got around to putting the air shocks back on. i know a shop who will do it for me but of course, if i can do it myself and save the money then obviously thats what id like to do. so im wondering how hard is it to do myself? what would be the smartest thing to do. im no slouch when it comes to cars but im also not a mechanic either. can it be done? and if so how difficult and time consuming is the job??? thanks in advance

monte82ppe

 

it is time consuming to run the tubes for the air ride suspention and it is easy to do when it is on the lift because you can see where it can cremp and go around them. also what type of air pump do you have? getting the right belt as well getting a extra pully and what not as well. imo is if a shop does it and breaks you can blame them if you do it and mess up while doing it can be bad as well. it isnt impossible to do but having patence will come to play.

 

monte07 i think your talking about air bags, I think the OP is thinking air shock absorbers.
If that's the case monte82ppe they are no different than regular shocks you just need to make sure you place the lines in a safe location where there not able to get pinched and find a spot to mount the filler.

 

personally id avoid them. ive known multiple people to run them and have them blowout. my friends camaro did it multiple times and they would lose air on one side and the car would sit funny. if you want to jack the back of the car up get a set of station wagon springs.

 

Iv'e installed air shocks before, Monroes. I'm not a great mechanic but you jack up the rear end and make sure she stays there! hardest part might be getting the old bolts out of your shocks. And make sure you put them on the right side cause if you don't you'll go to raise the shocks up and you'll crimp the line. Actually it's not that hard of a job as long as you got the right tools. put some on a 69 Chevelle once because i needed the extra clearence for my G60 series tires. I would try and do it yourself i think you will find it's not that hard. Good Luck.

 

havent logged in to respond- ive been working double shifts trying to save money for the car- but im ready to install the shocks today. i have one last question though: do the struts go INSIDE the springs??? when i tell ppl about the job they always ask me that. i never know what to say because i didnt pull the originals off. they were off when i bought the car so i have nothing to go by for reference. other than that i ve been told repeatedly that its pretty straight forward so it shouldnt be any trouble at all. and as always thanks in advance monte82ppe

 

rears are easy they bolt up on the rear side of the houseing on the botom and top is bolted to the frame, front are inbetween the spring, the shaft bolts to the frame aundo that then undo the botom on the control arm and the just pull out