The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Replacing front Shocks on my 1956 1/2 Ton

I am going to replace my front shocks on my 56 1/2 ton and bought some AC Delco shocks to replace the old ones (new ones are part number 116313-05429403). I was able to get the old ones off using a compression tool, but the tool didn't work too well and I want something that i would feel safer using and would just work better. Any suggestions? I was going to take them to a local repair shop, but he said insurance doesn't allow them to work with parts brought in from the outside anymore. So i'm stuck trying to do it myself. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

I just changed my 54 half ton shocks and just crawled under used socket and wrench don’t understand compression tool they should just be tube shocks .

@Kevinski: They are not stock replacement tube shocks. They are coil over shocks.

Here is a picture of the old shocks i took off and a pic of the new ones.

My 56 1/2 ton does not have the springs on the shocks either; I guess they help if the main springs are getting weak?
A possible suggestion, not sure if it will work, but attach the top mount and then use a jack underneath the spring to raise it high enough to attach the lower bolt.
Good luck.

Lee.

Asyou can see the coils look like they need to be compressed a great deal to go back in place. Most videos on youtube show that you can just adjust the height of you jacked up vehicle to get them to slide right back in. I don't think that will work for me. But maybe i'm wrong and i don't even need to use a compressor tool. But something tells me that's not the case. It's never that easy for this guy. LOL Thanks again for any help.

Thanks LeeD, you must have posted just before i replied. I will give that a go and see how it works.

You are jacking the front of the truck up so the shock/axle hangs at it's max length, right?

Mike B

I will give that a try. Thanks Mike!

When i went to jack her up, i noticed i had a broke stud bolt. I went to O'Reillys and got a replacement, but it is too small. And that is the only one they sell. Anyone else run into this problem? Should i just put a sleeve (if i can find one, or make one) around the area that's smaller than the hole in the frame? Or is there a place to buy a replacement that fits correctly? The part i bought at O'Reillys was part # 31001 Shock Bolt Kit - Universal 1/2-20. Thanks for any help.

This whole exercise is misguided. The original shocks should be ordered and installed. Those coilover shocks will have no effect when used with leaf springs except to make a hard ride harder. Don't copy a misguided yayhoo PO.
The proper stud is available from several suppliers.

You should be able to buy something like a head stud in about any length and thread size.
You could probably use a sleeve in the frame hole as long as the sleeve is sandwiched firmly between a shoulder and nut/washer.

Those are not coil over shocks, they are what is called "Load Levelers" used to assist weak springs. Jack up by frame, yank them off (they can't expand but to the max shock extension) and install new ones. The spring rate is low and can usually be compressed far enough by hand to get on mount studs. If one can't compress far enough to mount then there are at least two easy options: compress and wire to hold or pop off front shackles and lower axle. Once shocks are in place cut wire or jack up axle till shackle straps fit. Either way being to raise and lower frame and also being able to raise and lower axle makes the job much easier.