front shock absorbers

[Guest tim sheard]

I noted today the left front shock absorber on my '69 Abvanti was hanging loosely, the lower mounting bolts having come loose. The flange on the shock had been held to the frame with pairs of very large (gigantic), convex washers. These washers "bit" the flange but the bolts did not actually go through the hole in the middle of these large washers. They held it as if biting the flange, with the bolt outside the flange.

The other absorber has one ordinary nut and washer securing the bolt to the flange in the groove, but it also has a pair of these large convex washers holding the other side in a bite.

Should I replace the three pairs of large convex washers with ordinary washers and be sure the bolts go right through the groove in the flanges? That seems to be what the designer had in mind.

thanks, tim sheard, brooklyn

[Paulie]

I noted today the left front shock absorber on my '69 Abvanti was hanging loosely, the lower mounting bolts having come loose. The flange on the shock had been held to the frame with pairs of very large (gigantic), convex washers. These washers "bit" the flange but the bolts did not actu***y go through the hole in the middle of these large washers. They held it as if biting the flange, with the bolt outside the flange.

The other absorber has one ordinary nut and washer securing the bolt to the flange in the groove, but it also has a pair of these large convex washers holding the other side in a bite.

Should I replace the three pairs of large convex washers with ordinary washers and be sure the bolts go right through the groove in the flanges? That seems to be what the designer had in mind.

thanks, tim sheard, brooklyn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello, Tim,

I don't have a real answer for you, but a clue may be contained in a posting that I made on 31st Oct, 2005, under '63-'64 Avantis. If you purchased your car used, the former owner may have bought some shocks that were not a perfect fit for the car and added the washers.

I've pasted in my original posting below for your convenience.

Good luck and best regards,

Paul

Hello, again, Steve,

I was just looking through the past posting of messages on our forum and came up with a recent one (Mar 30, 2005) by 11secAvanti under the subject of "New Shocks" which might interest you. I've pasted his posting below for your convenience.

Just put some new shocks on my 71 Avanti front. Made a big difference in ride and handling. Advance store computer had no problem on a list number for the front. Number is KYB 343127. Only surprise is the lower support arm in the shock is shorter than required and requires a large washer to provide holding support. Other than that, the fit and ride is very nice. No number from Advance Store for the rear shocks, which I need.

His info is, as noted, for a '71 Avanti. I don't know if suspension changes were made between the earlier '63's and the '71's.

I hope that this isn't too much information to confuse you. If so, I'm sorry.

Best regards,

Paul

[Guest tim sheard]

Hello, Tim,

I don't have a real answer for you, but a clue may be contained in a posting that I made on 31st Oct, 2005, under '63-'64 Avantis.  If you purchased your car used, the former owner may have bought some shocks that were not a perfect fit for the car and added the washers.

I've pasted in my original posting below for your convenience.

Good luck and best regards,

Paul

Hello, again, Steve,

I was just looking through the past posting of messages on our forum and came up with a recent one (Mar 30, 2005) by 11secAvanti under the subject of "New Shocks" which might interest you. I've pasted his posting below for your convenience.

Just put some new shocks on my 71 Avanti front. Made a big difference in ride and handling. Advance store computer had no problem on a list number for the front. Number is KYB 343127. Only surprise is the lower support arm in the shock is shorter than required and requires a large washer to provide holding support. Other than that, the fit and ride is very nice. No number from Advance Store for the rear shocks, which I need.

His info is, as noted, for a '71 Avanti. I don't know if suspension changes were made between the earlier '63's and the '71's.

I hope that this isn't too much information to confuse you. If so, I'm sorry.

Best regards,

Paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dear Paul:

Thank you for your timely posting about the large washers securing the lower shocks. Sounds like I better not force them with slender washers - may upset the alignment of the shocks/suspension.

tim sheard, brooklyn