Front shock install question

[Dino]

I have the car up on tall jack stands, not supporting the suspension.  I figured it was a good time to replace the front shocks so I started with the driver's side.   Apparently there was no tension on the old shock so it came right off.  The new shock needs to move up about an inch + before the new rubber seal seats in the shock tower.   The new shock is a little shorter...

It's an Edelbrock IAS classic 33143.

I figured I could just put a jack under the LCA and pump until the shock was in place but after two pumps the car lifts off the jack stand.  What do I do?  Put the old shock back on and wait until the car is on the ground or is there a better way?

[b5blue]

Undo the adjuster for tension on the torsion bar. 

[myk]

Hmmm...that's an interesting problem.  I installed mine when the car was on the ground.  Try what 'B5 suggested?

[Dino]

Undo the adjuster for tension on the torsion bar. 

Does that not mean I need it adjusted afterwards?  I really don't want to mess with the torsion bars if I don't have to.

[RallyeMike]

Count the number of turns accurately and just turn it right back to the same spot. No realignment or adjustment will be needed.

[Ghoste]

I've always changed front shocks with the front end on the ground so everything was compressed. 

[maxwellwedge]

I've always changed front shocks with the front end on the ground so everything was compressed. 

x2   

[Dino]

Adjusting the torsion bars seems easy enough but since I don't want to add more projects, which I just did today by the way, I will wait until the car is back on the ground to replace the shocks.

Thanks folks 

[fy469rtse]

Or put the stands under bottom control arms both sides Dino , cars weight will do the rest, and if your nervous about getting under it , put second set of stands under chassis after you have lowered it on arms
That should do it 

[keith88]

Funny i had the opposite issue took me a few times to keep the shocks compressed enough to align it with the hole. The shocks did not want to stay compressed to give me time to aline it to the holes.

[fy469rtse]

You were doing it with the wheels on the ground , heh Keith ,
You could have just jacked it up a bit , nah ignore me been watching your car since you got it, lots of great upgrades and nice work done to this car ,
It's really in good hands 

[keith88]

Thanks just wish the guy i got it from was more forth coming with the issues it had so i could have prepared for it better. Seems like it 1 step FWD and 2 back every time i take it out,would have been a lot more helpful knowing what to expect needed to be fixed. I just want to drive it without the worry of not making it home. But I am gaining on it!!