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| How to change 91 metro rear shocks; Shocks not struts | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 27 2016, 03:23 PM (740 Views) | |
| LittleTinCar | Apr 27 2016, 03:23 PM Post #1 |
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New Member
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I have a 91 GEO metro hatchback and want to replace the rear shocks. Are there any diagrams with instructions on this site. The repair manuals are kind of lame. I'm used to old VWs. Much simpler but poor mpg. Thanks . . . Alan
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| 91 ragtop | Apr 27 2016, 06:28 PM Post #2 |
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Don't need a manual to change rear shocks. Jack up the wheel and pull the tire off and then pull the pinch bolt out of the lower shock housing. Tap a large screwdriver or small punch in the pinch slot to spread it a little. This should loosen the shock enough to slide it up out of the housing. Raise the car enough to get a jack stand under the chassis so when you let the jack down it will drop the a arm and rear knuckle assembly enough to pull the shock out. Now pull the upper shock cover and rubber and pull the two 12mm nuts . Drop the shock out and take the parts off the old shock and put them on the new shock and install. When you slide the new shock back in the housing there is a small tab welded to the shock body that goes right in the pinch slot. Look at the old one before you start and you'll see what I'm talking about. Ken.......... |
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| t3ragtop | Apr 27 2016, 06:55 PM Post #3 |
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker
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and be careful when you tap the wedge into the slot to spread the strut clamp. the knuckle is cast steel and if you try to open the gap too far the ear might snap off.
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| sser2 | Apr 27 2016, 07:43 PM Post #4 |
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sser2
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Rear shocks are same in all Metros, old or new. Here is replacement procedure in detail. 1. Losen rear wheel nuts. Jack up rear car corner and put car securely on a jack stand. Remove rear wheel. 2. Open rear hatch and fold the back of the seat. Remove plastic cover of shock tower. Under the cover there are 2 nuts and 1 bolt that hold shock's top mount and seat locking bracket. Undo them with 12 mm socket. 3. The lower end of rear shock is inserted into and clamped by rear wheel axle mount. Remove the clamping bolt with 12 mm socket. Hammer a small chisel into the clamp opening from underneath to loosen up clamp's grip. 4. Using a jack (with big sockets as needed), drive the shock's lower end upwards and out of its clamp. Hammer and stake can also be used for this purpose. When shock clears its clamp, it can be removed in one piece with its upper mount and other hardware from under the car. 5. Undo the nut on top of the shock (17 mm open wrench), holding shock's stem with Allen wrench or open wrench, as appropriate. If the nut is too tough, and it is impossible to hold the stem while undoing it, cut the nut off together with stem top using angle grinder with cut-off disk. Try not to damage the large washer under the nut. 6. Remove all reusable parts from old shock including washers, mount, dust cover, and yellow cushion. Take note of their positions/orientation and transfer them onto the new shock as they were on the old one. Fix the assembly with a new stem nut that is provided with new shock. 7. Insert new shock in shock tower, push upper mount studs through body holes, and secure the shock with nuts, but do not tighten nuts at this point. 8. Compress the shock and insert its lower end into its clamp. Shock's lower end has a transverse grove for clamp-tightening bolt, which should be facing clamp's opening. There is an alignment mark on the shock for proper orientation. 9. To drive shock's lower end into its clamp, jack up rear wheel axle mount, while knocking gently on shock and its stop. The shock must get fully home, with stop resting firmly on rear wheel axle mount. Remove the chisel. 10. Insert and tighten clamp bolt. Install seat locking bracket, tighten top nuts and bolt, re-install plastic shock tower cap. 11. Re-install the wheel and lower the car. 12. Have a beer, you deserved it!
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| sser2 | Apr 27 2016, 07:54 PM Post #5 |
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sser2
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Ken - you are the guy! You said it much better in fewer words. |
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| LittleTinCar | Apr 29 2016, 12:28 PM Post #6 |
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New Member
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Thanks guys ! I don't feel so intimidated now and might just have that beer after.
Edited by LittleTinCar, Apr 29 2016, 12:44 PM.
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