A 1998 chevy asrtro van I am replacing the shocks to find out that the drivers side shock doesn't fit in the metal housing where you tighten through the bottom of the shock absorber.
I'm not sure what to do, I thought of showing a welder thinking if the metal housing can somehow be bent slightly wider the bottom end, will the shock fit ?
Upon taking the old shock out it was a little stuck and there was a slight dent on the bottom of the shock showing that whoever worked on it last had to have forced it into the metal housing some kind of way.
If you have any suggestions on what to do I'd appreciate it.
Thank you,
Please help. https://www.dropbox.com/s/2dn78mhwaqvow5f/98%20Chevy%20Astro%20Schock%20Replacement%20.mp4?dl=0
just spread the sides of the bracket with a big wrench
also, come join
http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/
Lots of fellow Astro owners there to help you. They know every inch of your van.
Looks like a neat website!
The metal bracket is pretty thick so it's tough to move, and there is a lot of play in the assembly so it wont hold still when i try to pry it open. Do you think an exhaust manifold spreader or expandable pliers would work ?
the spreader might work. I think the easiest way would be to take a large crescent wrench, tighten the jaws down on the metal, put a pipe over the end, and crank it over.
what do you mean play in the assembly? The axle tube shouldn't budge.
Due to the rain, I'm going to try the crescent wrench with the pipe tomorow.
I'll upload anolther video showing the play that I am talking about, I am not the best at the part names/assembly doing so short videos has been helping out a lot.
Thank you for the advice I should have updates soon.