[caddor38]

I have a 71 trans am that has a 4 link suspension in the back with Competition coil over drag shocks. The car has been sitting since 2004 and noticed one of the rear shocks is bad.
I have never removed one of the shocks before and worried I may get the coil spring to the face. I cant find any videos either accept for people putting them on.

Can someone help me figure out how to remove these shocks so I can put new ones on? Do I put the rear on jack stands and pull the bolts out of the shocks starting at the top. of the shock, what about the spring pressure and getting another shock back in there? Attached is a picture of the setup.

[JLMounce]

Lift up the car from the pumpkin with a jack as high as you can.
Get some jackstands under the frame of the car at that point to hold it's weight.
Now unbolt the bottom of the shock, but leave the cross bolt in place.
Slowly release the pressure on the jack under the pumpkin and allow the axle to come down until the shocks are keeping it from going down any further.
Add whatever preload you need at that point to slide the cross bolts out of the bottom of the shocks.
Now go in reverse with your new shocks.

If you feel you need an extra layer of protection, get some straps and wrap them around the axle to a point on the car's frame to keep it from going out of control.

[caddor38]

Big thanks, just tested the method and looks easy enough. Once the shock arrive i will give it a try.

[caddor38]

Just finished the job and the directions worked perfectly! Big thanks again

[JLMounce]

Just in time to drive it this weekend!