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rubber replacement front shocks

Started by shelbymann1970, August 14, 2024, 06:22:28 AM

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shelbymann1970

Has anyone replaced the rubber on the front shocks at the top where the bracket bolts to the shock tower cap? I got the original Autolite shocks for my car and the rubber is cracked up. Thanks. Gary
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

TOBKOB

#1
Yes...I used lube, a vise, and a lot of effort and patience.  :)
I have a press now that I didn't have back then which may have made the job easier... good luck...

TOB
1969 GT350 owned since 1970

shelbymann1970

Quote from: TOBKOB on August 14, 2024, 08:51:12 AMYes...I used lube, a vise, and a lot of effort and patience.  :)
I have a press now that I didn't have back then which may have made the job easier... good luck...

TOB
Where do you get the replacement rubber from?
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

roddster

Buy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.

shelbymann1970

Quote from: roddster on August 14, 2024, 11:06:27 AMBuy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.
I guess what I would like to know before starting is what does the rubber look like. What does the bracket look like inside the rubber or shall I say by it self? That would help me determine my course of action. As a tool and die maker I have a lot at my disposal. I got my 68 Shelby shocks but I also want to do a set of 69 Boss 429 shocks for my friend as he needs to replace the metal parts because they  were "shortened" on the ends. 
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

Bob Gaines

Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: roddster on August 14, 2024, 11:06:27 AMBuy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.
I guess what I would like to know before starting is what does the rubber look like. What does the bracket look like inside the rubber or shall I say by it self? That would help me determine my course of action. As a tool and die maker I have a lot at my disposal. I got my 68 Shelby shocks but I also want to do a set of 69 Boss 429 shocks for my friend as he needs to replace the metal parts because they  were "shortened" on the ends. 
The rubber bushing and cross bar in the B9 and 68 Shelby should be the the same as on your original 70 GT350 shocks that I assume are there . Gabriel was a OEM mfg. to Ford and most likely who made your friends B9 shocks and most definitely the Shelby shocks.
Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Royce Peterson

Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 14, 2024, 11:57:13 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: roddster on August 14, 2024, 11:06:27 AMBuy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.
I guess what I would like to know before starting is what does the rubber look like. What does the bracket look like inside the rubber or shall I say by it self? That would help me determine my course of action. As a tool and die maker I have a lot at my disposal. I got my 68 Shelby shocks but I also want to do a set of 69 Boss 429 shocks for my friend as he needs to replace the metal parts because they  were "shortened" on the ends. 
The rubber bushing and cross bar in the B9 and 68 Shelby should be the the same as on your original 70 GT350 shocks that I assume are there . Gabriel was a OEM mfg. to Ford and most likely who made your friends B9 shocks and most definitely the Shelby shocks.

Bob is correct - I bought Monroe and Gabriel shocks to do this with, The Gabriels were the right diameter. The Monroes were not!
1968 Cougar XR-7 GT-E 427 Side Oiler C6 3.50 Detroit Locker
1968 1/2 Cougar XR-7 428CJ Ram Air C6 3.91 Traction Lock

shelbymann1970

Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 14, 2024, 11:57:13 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: roddster on August 14, 2024, 11:06:27 AMBuy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.
I guess what I would like to know before starting is what does the rubber look like. What does the bracket look like inside the rubber or shall I say by it self? That would help me determine my course of action. As a tool and die maker I have a lot at my disposal. I got my 68 Shelby shocks but I also want to do a set of 69 Boss 429 shocks for my friend as he needs to replace the metal parts because they  were "shortened" on the ends. 
The rubber bushing and cross bar in the B9 and 68 Shelby should be the the same as on your original 70 GT350 shocks that I assume are there . Gabriel was a OEM mfg. to Ford and most likely who made your friends B9 shocks and most definitely the Shelby shocks.
THanks. My GT350 has those replacement Gabriels rom the 90s. I'm referring to my original autolite shocks in my 68 Shelby. They had never been out until I pulled them a few weeks ago. I'm detailing them out now but before I paint them I want to replace the rubber in them.
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

shelbymann1970

Quote from: Royce Peterson on August 14, 2024, 12:45:06 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 14, 2024, 11:57:13 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: roddster on August 14, 2024, 11:06:27 AMBuy a new set of Mustang shocks and Carefully remove the rubber you need.
I guess what I would like to know before starting is what does the rubber look like. What does the bracket look like inside the rubber or shall I say by it self? That would help me determine my course of action. As a tool and die maker I have a lot at my disposal. I got my 68 Shelby shocks but I also want to do a set of 69 Boss 429 shocks for my friend as he needs to replace the metal parts because they  were "shortened" on the ends. 
The rubber bushing and cross bar in the B9 and 68 Shelby should be the the same as on your original 70 GT350 shocks that I assume are there . Gabriel was a OEM mfg. to Ford and most likely who made your friends B9 shocks and most definitely the Shelby shocks.

Bob is correct - I bought Monroe and Gabriel shocks to do this with, The Gabriels were the right diameter. The Monroes were not!
Thanks Royce. So how did you proceed in removing the old rubber? I got some Konis from 1970 I want to do also.
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

TOBKOB

Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 10:39:52 AM
Quote from: TOBKOB on August 14, 2024, 08:51:12 AMYes...I used lube, a vise, and a lot of effort and patience.  :)
I have a press now that I didn't have back then which may have made the job easier... good luck...

TOB
Where do you get the replacement rubber from?
I bought Gabriel shocks and pressed the cross bar out (use lube) and pressed them in. It has been 12 or so years since I did it but like I said earlier it takes a lot of patience. I didn't take pics of the process but I have pic before and after.
TOB
1969 GT350 owned since 1970

CharlesTurner

Dan Patch does nice work, he recently replaced the upper rubber on an original set of '68 adjustable Autolites for me.

https://dansshocks.com/mustang-shelby-and-boss/
Charles Turner
MCA/SAAC Judge

Special Ed

i started rebushing front shocks back 40 years ago and helped dan on the ford shocks as he was only doing vette shocks at first and been to his place in kansas who lived bhy 2 of my brothers and he knows what he is doing rebuilding shocks.

Royce Peterson

Quote from: TOBKOB on August 14, 2024, 07:38:01 PM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on August 14, 2024, 10:39:52 AM
Quote from: TOBKOB on August 14, 2024, 08:51:12 AMYes...I used lube, a vise, and a lot of effort and patience.  :)
I have a press now that I didn't have back then which may have made the job easier... good luck...

TOB
Where do you get the replacement rubber from?
I bought Gabriel shocks and pressed the cross bar out (use lube) and pressed them in. It has been 12 or so years since I did it but like I said earlier it takes a lot of patience. I didn't take pics of the process but I have pic before and after.
TOB

I did the same. Sprayed the top of the shock with 20 weight oil then pressed it out. Lubed the rubber with vaseline and pressed it in. Relatively easy. 
1968 Cougar XR-7 GT-E 427 Side Oiler C6 3.50 Detroit Locker
1968 1/2 Cougar XR-7 428CJ Ram Air C6 3.91 Traction Lock

shelbymann1970

Thanks everyone. I guess my next step is to make some parts that hold the shock and to also press the cross bar out. Does anyone have any pics of the cross bar out? Is it just a straight flat piece?
Shelby owner since 1984
SAAC member since 1990
1970 GT350 4 speed(owned since 1985).
  MCA gold 2003(not anymore)
1969 Mach1 428SCJ 4 speed R-code (owned since 2013)
"2nd" owner of 68 GT500 #1626

Royce Peterson

1968 Cougar XR-7 GT-E 427 Side Oiler C6 3.50 Detroit Locker
1968 1/2 Cougar XR-7 428CJ Ram Air C6 3.91 Traction Lock