What Is All Needed To Replace Shocks..

on a 82 caprice...want to purchase the parts from auto zone..

Typically, any name-brand shocks, even cheap ones come with all the necessary new hardware, such as rubber bushings.
The old mounting bolts and nuts should be easily reused, unless your car is severely rusty.

To install them you will need an assortment of quality wrenches or sockets, a decent jack (NOT the tire jack from the trunk), 2 jackstands, a prybar and hammer and some penetrating oil (for rusty bolts).

If you have never changed shocks before, get a service manual.
Note, after the car is on jackstands, you need to raise the rear axle (or front control arm) up just a bit with the jack, before unbolting a shock. This is because the shocks take the weight of the suspension and the spring tension when the car is raised in the air.

ok..cause i called auto zone a few months back and they told me 30/shock..so thats 120 total for all new shocks...sound kinda cheap...hopefully its the same price this week cause i def need some new shocks...my car is way too bouncy and leans into turns more than its supposed to

ok..cause i called auto zone a few months back and they told me 30/shock..so thats 120 total for all new shocks...sound kinda cheap...hopefully its the same price this week cause i def need some new shocks...my car is way too bouncy and leans into turns more than its supposed to

I got some of my bilstein shocks from autozone....you can go to the bilstein web site to check on what they have for your vehicle...they run $50-60.oo/shock I got HD double action shocks they are stiff and not much bounce down or upward...also they have lifetime warr....so your covered...

a week before you start get penetrating oil to the fasteners...

also you may have to cut off the front shocks so a hack saw may be required and a vise grip of good size to keep the shaft from turning...



you may find you have to adjust the amount of lift so as to get the shock to properly line up and be of the correct length for mounting...


I would install one at a time so that it will be easier...

I drive up on 6inch ramps 4 ramps,, then jack up slightly on frame to get access to hardware..tires still on ramps,, then jack up on frame as needed...to install... with the correct tools this is a easy job on this type of vehicle...

the rear shock upper locking nuts will be a challenge possibly..
I replaced these with a larger taller nut so I could capture it better with the socket...

A tip I have used for the front shocks. Get a deep well socket of the appropriate size and the longest extension you can, say 16+ inches.

Put this on down over the shaft onto the nut. Then begin rocking it back and forth in all directions. The shaft will fatigue quickly and will break off.

Unbolt the two bottom bolts and remove the old shock.

If you have an electric small side angle grinder you can grind against the nut and washer just take one side and smack it.