Brain fart, can't get shocks in fit on Heidts?

1759 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by vuss6t6, Aug 22, 2012

SUPRNOVA

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2012

So some time ago I purchased a Heidts coil spring front end, and now I'm finally trying to get it installed. As of right now, I can't get the damn t bar on the supplied shock to fit into the lower a-arm so I can bolt it in. Is there some secret that I'm not in the loop about? What adds to the confusion is that the guy I bought it from sent it assembled, for some reason things just don't want to go back together

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

the FLYER

· #2 · Aug 16, 2012

the springs need the weight of the engine/trans to compress enough to install the shocks. heard of some guys driving their cars a few miles without shocks to get springs settled down a bit to install. i don't really think that's necessary though.

wait until engine/trans are in...

SUPRNOVA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 16, 2012

the FLYER said:
the springs need the weight of the engine/trans to compress enough to install the shocks. heard of some guys driving their cars a few miles without shocks to get springs settled down a bit to install. i don't really think that's necessary though.

wait until engine/trans are in...

It's not height I'm having a problem with, the damn thing is too wide at the t bar on the bottom.

SUPRNOVA

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 16, 2012

I'm about to throw this ****ing thing away and go back to stock.

the FLYER

· #5 · Aug 16, 2012

take pics of the issue/parts and post 'em up. zillions have installed 'em so i'm sure we can help.

no sense getting too upset

SUPRNOVA

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 16, 2012

They fit at one point in time, it's like the dimensions of my control arms shrank somehow.

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2

the FLYER

· #7 · Aug 16, 2012

try swapping side to side... i'd also measure span of shocks then measure openings... see which one is off and i'd use a file and adjust whichever made the most sense.

doesn't look like but a few thousandths. but i'd still measure/compare.

i had std coils on my '64 before i swapped to coil-overs. things were tight. try swapping left to right and see if they fit, if not i'd file something

kirk69nova

· #8 · Aug 16, 2012

I think I'd follow Flyers advice and try swapping shocks from side to side.
If you file anything I'd file the $50 shock over the expensive frame.

SUPRNOVA

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 16, 2012

I;m moving onto the file, I just want to know why the damn things fit once and they don't know. Does not compute, does not compute!

my66post

· #10 · Aug 16, 2012

i have the same clip.i had one shock that fit fine and the other one i had tap in with a mallet it was a really tight fit

nova656567

· #11 · Aug 16, 2012

I'd follow Flyers suggestion regarding switching sides. I can tell you that without using a press or getting in a wreck, the way the control arms are constructed in that area they aren't going to change dimension.

For what its worth, we did a Heidt's install on a 66 about a month ago and didn't have an issue with the shocks. Didn't remember the serrated teeth on the cross shaft though?

kirk69nova

· #12 · Aug 18, 2012

Is the front end on the car? If not maybe with it installed the weight of the car may open up that shock mount and let the shock fit in there eaiser.

62civa

· #13 · Aug 18, 2012

Mine were the same way. Two minutes with a metal file took care of it

theracer

· #14 · Aug 19, 2012

typical problem--- file the spacing wider or file the shocks shorter.
i ground on something , shocks i think.

ROGER

nova656567

· #15 · Aug 21, 2012

theracer said:
typical problem--- file the spacing wider or file the shocks shorter.
i ground on something , shocks i think.

ROGER

Yeah, if I was going to clearance anything it would be the shock. If/when you replace them and the new shocks are narrower then you are shimming. You won't be replacing the arms unless you get in a wreck, so I would use them as the standard.

vuss6t6

· #16 · Aug 22, 2012

Had the same problem with my TCI Clip.Filed the shocks till they fit.Works fine.

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