After searching the threads, I have one final question on rear shock replacement (123 diesel).

After lifting the rear tires off the ground, do I then place a block under each tire so that they are suspended downward but still supported?

I'm good with the other stuff about rear seat removal and beginning with the top bolts, etc.

Thanks

Don

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A sedan, right? If so, yes, you need to support the wheels since the shock also functions as a travel limiter for the suspension.

Shock replacement is probably best performed with the wheels on ramps.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

R Leo:

Yep, its a sedan. Are you saying that with the wheels on a ramp, that I'd still jack up the differential so that the travel is lengthened so that the shock is therefore lengthened. I'm trying to conceptualize it in my brain and my brain isn't all that big. Please use small words

And by the way, you are one of the WVO superheros

dp

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

after unfastening the top, compress the shock, then it will come out.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

With the back of the car on ramps, you shouldn't need raise the car with a jack. The vehicle only needs to be high enough to allow the shock sufficient clearance to be removed (dropped straight down) out of the spring without hitting the ground first.

Also, you do know that you need to remove the back of the rear seat to access the top nut on the shocks, don't you?

Thanx for the kudos but, I honestly think Dana Linscott is the real hero of the grassroots WVO activity.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Randy, I've got to pull the rear springs this weekend on the SDL.

Is there a danger in removing the shock and then raising the back of the vehicle up using the diff?

Without the shock in place, the trailing arms will continue downward until?????

Can the spring go ballistic without the shock as a stop?? I would think that the trailing arm must have some additional stop, other than the shock???

The wheels must, obviously, be unloaded to remove the spring. You can't unload the wheels without something stopping the trailing arm. You can't have the shock stop the trailing arm because it must be removed to pull the spring.

CAUTION!!
The shocks function as deflection stops for the trailing arms. Only remove the shocks when the vehicle is sitting on its wheels!!!

No.

W/O the shock in place, the trailing arm swings downward until it contacts the subframe. The shocks limiting function prevents the suspension from traveling too far and allowing too much camber in the rear wheels which could permit the wheel to get stuffed up underneath the car in a slide situation.

No. The spring is still significantly compressed at full suspension extension and also sits deep in the tower and trailing arm spring perches. I also believe that the trailing arms must be fully extended in order to have enough room to remove the compressed spring from the perches.

I strongly suggest reading procedure 32.5-230/1 in the W123 FSM before embarking on this project. If you don't have the FSM, go here.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Thanks.

I understand that the shock can't be loaded in it's fully extended position when it is removed, and, additionally, the rear spring can't be fully loaded when it is removed.

There is no danger to letting the trailing arm extend until it hits the subframe, after the shock is removed.

Is there any issue caused by excessive angular deflection of the axles when the trailing arm is in full downward deflection, prior to spring removal??

I guessing not since that's how the FSM says to take out the spring.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.