I am going to replace my rear shocks this weekend, how do I get to the top bolts in the rear? WHat do i need to remove?
Also is it a good idea to change front wheel bearing? How can I tell if they are bad or need replacing?


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wishmister@yahoo.com

1987 White IROC-Z
305 TPI LB9
700-R4 auto tranny
87,000 miles
Very Clean car
Performance Resource Chip
Flowmaster Muffler
Throttle Body Coolant bypass
TPIS air Foil
K&N's
Gutted air box
Accel 8.0 plug wires
Moroso Super Coil
Blue Streak Cap and Rotor
AC Delco Rapidfire plugs
Mobil 1 15/50 Synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 synthetic Trans fluid.

 

To get to the top bolts on the back shocks, fold your back seat down, pull your carpet back towards the rear of the car. There you should find a molded foam piece. Remove it and you should see the top of your shock.

 

If the bearings aren't making noise, at your next brake job (when you have to repack them with grease), you can visually look at the bearings. If they're a funny color (other than a regular silver), or beat up, or have a strange wear pattern, then they should be replaced.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

How do I get the carpet to move, I went and tried but I cant seem to move it. Do I have to remove some of the side panels to get to it....

 

I changed shocks last year, You have to pull hard on the carpet. I know this sounds silly but give it a good yank. It's going to be had to reinstall so be warned. Good luck

 

The bottom of the rear-cargo-area carpet tucks under the lower corner edges of the rear folding seatback. The rear seat bottoms also "grip" the carpet with velcro.

You can get all that crap outta the way easily, tho! For the seat bottoms, use a 13mm (or 1/2") socket for the bolt under the front bottom edge of the seat. (One per seat bottom). Then, use a 10mm socket in each lower corner on the folding seatback. That will give you more room to work.

You -can- pull the back panels up at their "front" edge.. I usually do this. You have to remove a bunch of panels though. Try to get away without doing it.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!