The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Shocks

I replaced the front shocks on my 54 3100. The shocks are Monroe and according to the vehicle selection tool on the NAPA web site they are supposed to be the correct shock for my model and year truck.

In order to install them they had to be completely compressed to fir between the two mounting points.

My question, is this right? I can see where the shock adds value when the truck front end raises up from the front axle. The shock will dampen the drop of the axle away from the frame. When I hit a bump it seems there is no value because the with the shock fully compressed in it normal position there is no room for it to compress and dampen the impact when hitting a bump.

My truck road very rough before the new shocks so the fact it hits bumps hard is nothing new but it does not seem correct?

If the shocks are fully compressed in the normal resting position of the suspension, something is wrong. If the suspension tries to dip, something will break for sure, maybe the shock mount.

If your truck is lowered a little the regular shocks can bottom out easily. Mine is lowered 3" and broke a shock. I just replaced my front with these ...they seem to have the right amount of travel and a good ride.
https://www.performanceonline.com/1947-55-CHEVY-GMC-TRUCK-FRONT-NITRO-SLAMMER-SHOCKS-EACH/

My truck is completely stock. Not lowered any. Sounds like I either have the wrong shocks for my truck or the leaf springs have "relaxed" over time and lowered the truck on it's own. I will check out the other shocks. Thanks.

Dave, this may help. It contains a lot of good and very specific info about shocks with part numbers that can be cross referenced.

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/pdf/monroe-shock-lengths.pdf
Xena

Whenever I put new shocks on my old trucks, the front ones are pretty much neutral in action. They show some resistance in both direction, but don't go to the fully extended position like the rear shocks do. The rear shocks come with a heavy duty plastic strap which you cut after the shocks have been bolted on. The front ones never had that strap on them.
Carl

I wonder if they gave me the rear shocks instead of front shocks. The shocks had the heavy duty plastic strap compressing them. Even with that I had to struggle to force them into the bracket and get a bolt in. It is clear I need to change them.

Thanks for all the feedback.