I take it the lower portion is correctly installed. I would attempt to work on the top nuts pretty soon. IIRC, you will need to hold the shock shaft (say that five times, fast!) at the flat part of the shaft so as not to rotate while you tighten down the nut. On the ones I replaced, it did turn a little, no harm. Said shocks were Bilsteins. Hope this helps.

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83 SD

84 CD