disconnect rear shock absorber

K

khnaess

Member
Hello
I have to remove the rear end on my 1937 Ford (clutch issue) and need a little guidance when it comes to removing the shock absorbers.
I suppose the easiest way is to disconnect the absorber link that connect the shock absorber to the axel and not loosen the whole absorber from the frame.

I have raised the car on stands and removed the wheels. I have also loosend the two nuts that holds the shock link. But the shock link doesnt come off easily. Do I have to use a puller or something? Was it wrong to raise the car from the ground? I have not used any force yet, I thought it was best to ask for help first. Are there any spring with tension in the shock absorber that I should be aware of?
Regards
Knut Haakon Naess
 
Links studs have a taper. I made a small pickle fork that works good but if you dont have one and want to avoid damaging the links i would unbolt the shocks from the frame and let them hang on the rear
 
Take two hammers, buck up one side of the shock arm where the link connects and hit it on the other side with the nut backed off. It will pop out.
 
With the car on stands, and rear wheels removed, what I normally do to remove a shock link, that's attached to the rear, is to loosen the nut a few turns, then using a length of aluminum or brass bar stock, place one end against that nut, and hit the other end of the bar a good wack with a 2 to 3 lb hammer. That will break the tapered end loose, and the soft bar stock prevents damage to nut and threads on link. Then remove the nut, pull the end of the link out, and push the shock arm & attached link up out of the way. I started using this method after destroying several good shock links using a pickle fork, or a make shift puller.
 
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Well i guess the BFH approach works for some people, my little shop made pickle fork works fine without mangling the shock links. Each to their own.

Was there a ford service tool ever made for the shock links?
 
I always just unbolt the shocks from the frame . I found it to be quicker and I don't run the risk of damaging the shock link.
 
Try a Tie Rod end puller, $12-15 here, not sure about Norway. No hammer blows will be transmitted to the precision pieces inside a Houdaille shock assembly.
 
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