'61 Torsion bar/Shock question.....

[Yachtcare]

Getting ready to change all four shocks in the next couple of days. As I have never changed front shocks on a vehicle equipped with torsion bars, I'm just just kinda wondering if there are any surprises when I remove the bolts from the old shocks? Are there any "special" tools required to "compress" or otherwise keep things in their proper place until the new shock is installed? Any words of wisdom from those that have gone before me are appreciated. Thanks, Tony

[xextr3m3]

I put new shocsk on my 61.

it was an easy install. I got delco shocks and the fronts came with new ?studs? for the bottom. One side of the stud bolts to the A-arm and the other side is the shock side.

it is very easy to do.

I give it a out of 5, job

my only complaint: generic delcos are to soft for that much weight

[chevytrucknut]

Yep, it a easy job. I put a set of Gabriel "Classics" on my truck, Hardest thing was removing the orginal ones. The T-bars don't un- twist or anything like that. Its harder to find rear shocks that are tall enough.

[Yachtcare]

Thanks for the input on the front shocks. I just finished installing the rears. They are Gabriel Classics, part number 82086. Got 'em at Autozone for $14.99 each, perfect fit no problems, did not come with new hardware, but picked up new grade 8 stuff at local hardware store for just under $5.00. Gonna try to tackle the fronts in the next day or two. They are Monroe "Sensa-Trac" part number 37187, and they did come with the new lower hardware for $19.99 each at Discount/Advance auto parts. I will have pictures of the rear installation and a pic of the front shock and hardware posted sometime later this evening at the address under my signature. Thanks again for the info, Tony