[gtorich]

Hi, seems like I have a leak in one of my rear shocks, cant seem to find the ak 2080 anywhere, the other number is a 24-00924 but that says for 68-72...…..I have a 66.

Any help here on what to get to replace my ak 2080, looking for something similar / better.

Thanks

Rich

[gtorich]

Trying to look stuff up, they have a Bilstein 24-029728 , but that's for a 68-72 gto, odd when you look up for a 66 Chevelle it says this one is good to go.

Any help here guys...………….would like to get a good quality replacement for my shocks, this shock this is leaking oil, has about 2 thou miles on it...…….you would think it should last a little longer than that.

Thanks

Rich

[gtorich]

Sorry about those numbers, that 24-02928 is for the front...…..the one for a 68-72 is 24-00924.

Anyone try one of these on a 66-67, hate to buy them, find out there wrong then waste another month of trying to find a shock.

Rich

[HWYSTR455]

Um, I think I dug on this for someone else here, maybe try the 66-67 section? Or do a search?

.

[JC455]

Check through B-man's posts. He did one on rebuilding a 64 Tempest suspension that featured Bilstein shocks.

[gtorich]

LOL, I must not know how to do a search right, I did search Bilstein shocks, I found two posts I had on the AK 2080 from 2012...…….I thought these shocks were older, wow.

Unless im doing something wrong, which I probably am, I can find if these Bilstein"s 24-009294 will fit a 66.

E mailed Bilstein, one company said, NO, the other said identical to the AK 2080, so that makes it clear. Guess I"ll buy them and see if they fit.

Rich

[b-man]

My suspension thread:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=610357

Go with the recommended replacement shocks, I can’t imagine early and late A-body rear shocks being much different if at all.

[gtorich]

Originally Posted by b-man

My suspension thread:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=610357

Go with the recommended replacement shocks, I can’t imagine early and late A-body rear shocks being much different if at all.

Bart, got your pm, will try the replacement shocks, thanks

Rich

[gtorich]

Ok, an update on the shocks I got the replacement ones for the AK2080...…….seems a little tight from the shock to the frame...….don't think its even a 1/16 inch. The old Bilstein had a least a 1/8 or more.

Another thing, don't know if something was altered from stock, I had different mufflers put on, don't remember putting in the AK2080 shocks but it didn't take me 2 hrs to do that either.

Just so I have this right, on the shocks on one side on top you have a stud coming down and the other side you have the stud going up...……..wow, that is some tricky stuff trying to get a 1/2 wrench up there...……..any tricks you guys been using for this.

I cant believe my wife and I put the motor and transmission in faster than we could do the shocks...……...something has to be out of whack on the upper shocks mounts, this is for the rear shocks.

Im taking it even though the shock is real close to the frame mount (Lower hole) its the top part of the shock that moves up and down right.

Wow, what a day of messing around with this.

Rich

[Jeff Hamlin]

Can't speak on those shocks but clearly looks like the shock isn't set correctly with those lower bolts, Should be more clearance at the axle flange and less against the bolt end.
It looks to me if you change out the lower mounting bolts you would get proper clearance ?

[gtorich]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Can't speak on those shocks but clearly looks like the shock isn't set correctly with those lower bolts, Should be more clearance at the axle flange and less against the bolt end.
It looks to me if you change out the lower mounting bolts you would get proper clearance ?

Jeff, these are the bolts that came with the shocks, are you saying I can buy different mounting bolts.

I cant see how you can put the shock into the bottom hole any different, I have an olds rear axle in it now, I have the shock in the lower hole now, I have another hole up a little higher but im thinking that will make the shock actually touch the frame, if it will even go into that upper hole.

Rich

[gtorich]

Jeff, fooled around with it today some, tried getting the mounting bolts out of the old shocks, no way will come out without drilling or cutting them out, hate to wreck the new ones……..im gonna try putting a washer or two on the new one and find another lock nut that is smaller so I can get the bolt all the way thru...…….thinking a grade 8 nut and Loctite it.

Rich

[gtorich]

Ok, heres where im at today, put in a thick washer and now the shock is about 3/16 away from the frame, about the same as the orginial AK2080 shocks were...…...question is does a Pontiac rear end have that above hole that I have pictured...…..I can push it up to that hole, just doesn't fit in there right.

Rich

[b-man]

Use the bottom hole for sure to mount the shock. Adding a washer to space it out enough to clear was the right thing to do. Had a back brace welded to the rear end in my ‘64 GTO (Ford 9”) and had to use 3 or 4 thick washers to get the clearance I needed to clear the brace. I couldn’t even put a lock washer under the nut, not enough threads left, Loctite is your friend. I bracket raced it for many years that way without any problems.

The only issue you really have is a shock that isn’t an exact replacement but close enough to work fine. The shock body is probably slightly bigger in diameter than one it’s supposed to replace, no big deal.

[gtorich]

Thanks Bart, I had enough space to get a washer on and used one of those metal lock nuts, got about 2 threads showing so im gonna stick with this,

Appreciate the help guys

Rich

[64speed]

Back shocks on my 64 were a bitch. I feel your pain and I only used stock AC DELCO