Air Shocks

[JMF]

I have air shocks on the rear of my 68, today we tried to put some air in them but they are not going higher, just heard a bit of creaking but nothing else, any idea where to start looking for the problem ? Thanks

[tan top]

 no offece , but IMO your  better off geting a pair of  conventional oil filled of better still !  gas , air shocks are a no no on a B - body  mopar , cause they wreck / can wreck  the shock crossmember over time   

[Dino]

I have air shocks on the rear of my 68, today we tried to put some air in them but they are not going higher, just heard a bit of creaking but nothing else, any idea where to start looking for the problem ? Thanks

Can you hear the air escaping?  If not, cover the system with soapy water and fill them again.  When it bubbles you're in troubles.  Okay that was bad but I'm tired.  

Word of warning, air shocks are not the best thing for the crossmember.  You couldn't pay me to stick that stuff on my car.  

[Musicman]

Word of warning, air shocks are not the best thing for the crossmember.  You couldn't pay me to stick that stuff on my car.  

[JMF]

Thanks but does anyone have any idea though as why they are not working when I put air in ? Thanks

[nvrbdn]

if you apply air and they do not move, they are already at their max, or they are leaking. if they are leaking, they will usually raise the car, then it will fall back down. what pressure are the lines holding right now?

[twodko]

If you hear "creaking" when you attempt to air them up I would take a very close look at the shock mount cross member. That sound could mean some baaaaaad juju up there.

With that said I'm guilty of running Gabriel's on my '69. I don't max them out, just enough air for a slight rake.
New springs may give me the look I want........for a while until they settle. Spring shackles are a crime IMO. Re-arching the OEM spring is a short term fix IMO so where does that leave me? I like the look of an old school rake but how to do it?

[Dino]

If you hear "creaking" when you attempt to air them up I would take a very close look at the shock mount cross member. That sound could mean some baaaaaad juju up there.

With that said I'm guilty of running Gabriel's on my '69. I don't max them out, just enough air for a slight rake.
New springs may give me the look I want........for a while until they settle. Spring shackles are a crime IMO. Re-arching the OEM spring is a short term fix IMO so where does that leave me? I like the look of an old school rake but how to do it?

You go the custom route.  Eaton springs can make you a set that looks stock but raises the rear.

[nvrbdn]

the way i reached that look in 73 going to the junk yard and getting a pair of truck leaf springs. picked her right up.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I've had air shocks on dozens of my cars over the years.

I haven't cracked a cross member yet.

[twodko]

Eaton.......truck springs........I want the best of both worlds. Slight rake and a comfortable ride. Tractor firm and my aging carcass are mutually exclusive. 

[71green go]

I've had air shocks on dozens of my cars over the years.

I haven't cracked a cross member yet.

Me too, and never an issue.........only once on a 78 Tbird ...picked up a family at the airport when their wagon broke down...my god they were all north of 250 lbs and actually blew both my rear air  shocks out when they got in back seat....was scraping tires all the way home from Toronto...poor car

[Musicman]

I think the "General Info" section of this add says it all. 

http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MP-3410

[A383Wing]

I've had air shocks on dozens of my cars over the years.

I haven't cracked a cross member yet.

same here...had air shocks on my 66 since mid 70's....all is still well

[NHCharger]

Part of the problem with the air shocks is that people try to save money. Instead of replacing worn and sagging leaf springs they throw on some air shocks and jack the ass end of the car up with them.
Been running air shocks on my 71 for 18 years. Also have new leak springs.

[nvrbdn]

just got those old dirty air shocks off my car today.



   replaced them with shiny new air shocks.

[A383Wing]

the main reason I put air shocks on the 66 back in the 70's was that we hauled a tent trailer and a lot of camping stuff in the trunk...along with the kids, almost every weekend.......it had "droopy butt" syndrome....it was mainly for leveling out the car