rubber replacement front shocks

[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

[TOBKOB]

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

[shelbymann1970]

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

Where do you get the replacement rubber from?

[roddster]

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

[shelbymann1970]

Buy 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. 

[Bob Gaines]

Buy 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.

[Royce Peterson]

Buy 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!

[shelbymann1970]

Buy 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.

[shelbymann1970]

Buy 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.

[TOBKOB]

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

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

[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/

[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]

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

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. 

[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?

[Royce Peterson]

Pics I took: