Front shock tower

[pasvorto]

I put new shocks on the front of my 78 this morning. When I was lowering the jack, after doing the last one, I heard a pop. I looked around underneath and didn't see anything wrong. I drove it around the block. The front end felt MUCH tighter. No wandering at all. The old shocks were easy to compress by hand, and didn't rebound at all! :ugh It must have just been riding on the coil springs.

Anyway, when I got home, I opened the hood and had a look about. I think I found the pop. There is a crack in the right front shock tower. It extends from the hole where the shock mounts, out to the edge. I can see where it was (poorly) welded before. That is what broke, I think. :cry

Now for questions. I would like to drive it work and see if my maintenance guys can reweld it. Is that wise? I don't have the tools, money, or expertice to replace it right now. Can it be driven for 5 miles or so in that condition (in order to get to work)?

If the front shocks are that bad, the rears probably are too. PITA or not too bad? :crazy

 

[JohnZ]

It'll drive fine. Remove the shock before they weld it, replace it after the area cools down; I'd remove the shock at home and replace it later.

 

[pasvorto]

I can drive it with the shock tower cracked? That's good. Actually I did drive it around the block that way before I discovered the problem, so I guess it won't self-destruct on a short trip.

Now, I was wondering... can I just unbolt to top of the shock and unbolt the shock tower and remove it (for welding) without the front of the car falling a bit? Or, do I have to jack up /brace things? Fortunately (he said with tongue in cheek), it is the right side, so all the A/C tubing is in the way. My luck. Also, my driveway is fairly inclined. Will that cause problems? Or should I make sure it is on a flat surface?

I don't have a shop manual showing what is involved in removing the shock tower.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I don't have a shop manual showing what is involved in removing the shock tower.

It's not removable. It's welded to the frame. Just follow John's advice.

 

[pasvorto]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're saying I should drive it to the welder ...without the shock even being on the car?! That would be a first for me.

 

[gmjunkie]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're saying I should drive it to the welder ...without the shock even being on the car?! That would be a first for me.

JohnZ is Right,You can drive without the Shock!!!! Just don't get in a Road Race,it will be a little Spongy on Rt.Front!!

 

[pasvorto]

Man, do I learn stuff from this group That RF shock was such a PITA to get on, I don't look forward to removing it. :ugh

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're saying I should drive it to the welder ...without the shock even being on the car?! That would be a first for me.

Please understand that the shock does not 'support' the car- the springs do that. The small amount of pressure exerted by a modern gas shock trying to force out the piston is incidental. Original shocks had no such pressure.

 

[pasvorto]

So much to learn.. so little mind.