Rear Shock Removal

[HealeyNZ]

Hi All,

I am looking to refresh the rear suspension on by BT7. The manual describes removing the shock absorbers as a simple 3 step process:
1) Remove the nut hold the shock lever to the link arm
2) Remove the bolts securing the shock body to the chassis
3) Remove the the shock from the link arm

Easy! Except I can't remove the lever from the link arm or if I undo the link arm nut the link arm from the chassis.

So in the attached image how to you actually separate the shock lever arm and/or the link arm?

Appreciate any suggestions.

Cheers

John

 

[Deleted member 21878]

i did the same thing last year. i think i used a tie-rod separator from Autozone. it looks like a big fork that is wedge shaped. couple of hits from a hammer and it came loose.

if i recall it was a bigger pain to get back in. lining up the bolts was kind of tough. i think the issue was the exhaust side. the other side you could get in and then rotate the shock up. had to fiddle around with it for a while.

 

[John Turney]

Nothing is a simple process on a Healey.

I found that removing the link and shock together was a bit easier. Then remove the link from the shock arm on the bench. The link to axle connection isn't tapered IIRC. There is a tube between the two ears on the axle.

Note when you put it back together: Make sure the axle is at the normal ride height relative to the frame when you tighten the link nuts. (Support the axle instead of the frame using jack stands.)

 

[HealeyNZ]

Thanks for those replies.

@DroneDog - The only separator I have it too big so will try to source a smaller one. That is slightly more challenging than it should be as here in New Zealand we are in 'Level 3 COVID-19 lockdown' which means I can't just pop down to our equivalent of AutoZone.

@John - I also own a Lotus so the Healey isn't always that hard! I like the idea of taking the whole link off but it won't budge either

Next plan is to source a smaller tie-rod separator and/or try the other side which would also have the advantage of not having the exhaust in the way.

I will report back then.

Thanks again.

John

 

[HealeyNZ]

Success! Well partial success really. Taking the advice that the link to axle wasn't tapered I:
1) Undid the rear 2 exhaust mounts and dropped the exhaust out of the way
2) Got a long rod that I could hold against the link bolt nut
3) Got a bigger hammer
A couple of cracks with that and it popped out. Have also ordered a smaller tie rod separator so hopefully when that arrives I can get the shock off the link.

The shock seems in a sad way, I can move the lever easily by hand with little/no resistance which I assume is not correct.

Cheers

John

 

[John Turney]

... The shock seems in a sad way, I can move the lever easily by hand with little/no resistance which I assume is not correct.

Cheers

John

The shock is probably empty of fluid. The only way it disappears is by leakage, usually through the seals on the shaft. Sounds like it's time for a rebuild or replacement.