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Post Info TOPIC: 1961 Pontiac Laurentian shock absorber replacement - photos


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1961 Pontiac Laurentian shock absorber replacement - photos


Pretty straight forward but here are some photos if anyone is thinking about doing it.

 

 

Front

39381249651_bcdf0426ab_z.jpg

I bought new shocks for the Pontiac. The old ones were are not in bad shape but they are old (late 70s) so worth replacing.

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The job is super easy in theory. Unbolt the top bolt and two at the bottom. Slide shock out, slide new one in and re-bolt up. The top of the shock mount on the driver's side. Nut is 9/16" but the middle needs to be held in place. A 1/4" wrench works. The driver's side on came 98% of the way out before seizing solid. Likely some bad threads at the top.

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Some work with the angle grinder and its off.


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Bottom of shock mount - two 1/2" bolts and the shock slides out.

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New one bolts in without too much trouble.

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Passenger side went super smooth thankfully with no seized bolts.

The fronts are done. Now onto the rears.

 

Rear

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Old shocks - I have the receipt for their installation in 1977.

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Shock bottom mount - Axle needs to be lifted a little to get shock off. 3/4" bolt size.

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Top mount has two bolts with nuts. 1/2" in size. I sat a 1/2" wrench on top and 1/2" socket turned from underneath.

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1/2" bolt on the top mount. Not visible from below.

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Shock out

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Rear shocks - old vs new

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New shocks installed - nice and straightforward - took 1/2 hour.

 

Next up is brakes.



-- Edited by Dave7 on Friday 5th of January 2018 10:14:23 PM

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1961 Pontiac Laurentian



Poncho Master!

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Nice.....You are lucky one of those rear studs didn't snap off, seen that more than once.

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Hanover, Ont

Ontario Rodders Forum



A Poncho Legend!

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Good straight-forward tutorial and done old school ... on the ground, cardboard on concrete.



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Prince Edward Island

'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.



A Poncho Legend!

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Nice work and nice photos .  I have to do that on my 30 year old suburban .  I think I'll use coil over (load levellers) on rear to prevent squat 



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The rear shocks on my '62 have a spiral shaped shock. Has anyone else seen that type??

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Canadian Poncho Superstar!

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How does it feel with the new shocks?



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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


A Poncho Legend!

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Joe_Bob6000 wrote:

The rear shocks on my '62 have a spiral shaped shock. Has anyone else seen that type??


 That sounds exactly like the originals would have looked with the spiral pressed into the tube.



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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



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Dang....I wonder if they are the originals, or maybe a set of factory or NOS shocks replaced later in life. I can't imagine they'd be originals after 57 years...

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Addicted!

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Great pics. Thanks for sharing this.

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