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88 Lx Rear Axle Damper Rubs New Tire

  • Thread starter Thread starter non_expert
  • Start date Start date Nov 26, 2015
N

non_expert

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May 23, 2013
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#1
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #1
I have an 88 LX (former state trooper car). I bought new 17" rims, 10" wide which rub the rear axle dampers.

can the dampers be removed and discarded or are they important to keep?
thanks!!
 

B.erazo712

Active Member
Feb 6, 2015
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Nov 26, 2015
#2
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #2
Yea you can get rid of the dampers (quad shocks), but if you do that i'd suggest getting some upper rear control arms.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
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Nov 26, 2015
#3
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #3
try flipping the quad shocks first. You may gain the needed clearance. Removing them with stock rear control arms will lead to wheelhop.
 
Reactions: Shakerhood and 90sickfox
N

non_expert

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  • Nov 26, 2015
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mikestang63 said:
try flipping the quad shocks first. You may gain the needed clearance. Removing them with stock rear control arms will lead to wheelhop.
Click to expand...

I thought about flipping them but the wide part of the quad shock will be right against the main rear shock. how troublesome will wheelhop be?
 
N

non_expert

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  • Nov 26, 2015
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B.erazo712 said:
Yea you can get rid of the dampers (quad shocks), but if you do that i'd suggest getting some upper rear control arms.
Click to expand...

is that a big job/expense?
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
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Nov 26, 2015
#6
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #6
If you take the quad shocks off I'd recommend upper and lower control arms. Try flipping them first...I've never had any rubbing between the two shocks....way easier than control arms.
 

B.erazo712

Active Member
Feb 6, 2015
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Nov 26, 2015
#7
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #7
non_expert said:
is that a big job/expense?
Click to expand...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvhOUZS3Bcc

This should give you an idea.
 
N

non_expert

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#8
  • Nov 26, 2015
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90sickfox said:
If you take the quad shocks off I'd recommend upper and lower control arms. Try flipping them first...I've never had any rubbing between the two shocks....way easier than control arms.
Click to expand...

I'll try that.
thanks a lot for your help.
 
N

non_expert

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#9
  • Nov 26, 2015
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B.erazo712 said:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvhOUZS3Bcc

This should give you an idea.
Click to expand...

yes. That was very helpful.
not exactly a driveway job.
 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Nov 26, 2015
#10
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #10
Gotta learn smetime, it's not a difficult job
 
N

non_expert

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#11
  • Nov 26, 2015
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madspeed said:
Gotta learn smetime, it's not a difficult job
Click to expand...

you're so right.
People on this forum are very helpful.
I'm grateful for that.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
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Jul 6, 2006
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Nov 26, 2015
#12
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #12
Control arms are simple. Old bushings can be a pain but there are simple ways around that. Dont let lack of a shop get in your way. This is one of those jobs that is perfect for a beginner. If you start to feel discouraged you can always just tighten everything back up.
 
N

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#13
  • Nov 26, 2015
  • #13
stykthyn said:
Control arms are simple. Old bushings can be a pain but there are simple ways around that. Dont let lack of a shop get in your way. This is one of those jobs that is perfect for a beginner. If you start to feel discouraged you can always just tighten everything back up.
Click to expand...

thanks. that's encouraging. I've had the car a long time and was slowly restoring it until I retired, so money is a factor now. It's part of me now so I feel the need to keep making incremental improvements as I can.

I had 16" rims, 3 spoke, which I could not seem to ever get properly balanced, hence the new, high speed balanced, 17" wheels. fronts are 9" wide, rear are 10" wide.
hope I can make this work!
 
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