C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

[Charles P.]

I will be replacing the rear shocks with 2 AC Delco 88945172 which is the current available replacement for a 73 non heavy duty susp. In assembling the parts, will I need to order the lower shock rubber grommets or do they come with the shock? Also will I need the metal grommets that go between the rubber and the nut? Is it a good idea to replace all the hardware upper and lower ie bolts,nuts ?
Before I put them on I had considered painting them gm shock gray. As far as judging goes would the deduction be less if painted than if left black? Has anyone sourced rattle can gray from anyone other than Qanta or other mail order vendor? On the paint issue I was trying to save mail order and buy it local. Any prep tips if I do paint them? Thanks for the help. Proper prior planning and all.

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

Charles-----

The shocks are supplied with the rubber grommets. Often times, these are a pre-installed, 1-piece sort of grommet. However, they work fine and cannot be discerned from the original 2 piece type when installed.

The retainer that goes between the grommet and the nut is a special, cup-shaped retainer. The shocks will come with a flat washer. Don't use it; re-use the cupped retainer. The cup GOES OUT which is counter-intuitive.

You can reuse the special, thick lower retaining nut, too, rather than the much thinner nut supplied with the shock. Replace the lockwasher if you like.

The upper bolt and nut are also special pieces. The bolt has a long unthreaded shank and the nut is a thin nut. Reuse them if they are in good shape.

I'd repaint the shocks. It's easy to do and will "overcome" something which will otherwise be quite noticeable to a judge. They might not notice the incorrect "numbers", but they'll definitely and easily notice the incorrect color.

I like the Quanta paint. However, any medium gray paint will be a lot better than leaving the shocks black.

By the way, the shocks went back to black later in C3 production (as they were prior to 1965). However, I think that they were still gray as of 1973. You might want to check that in the JG, though.

[Lyle24961]

Re: C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

Gray is the correct color for 73 and you should be able to find it locally.
Lyle

[Kent K.]

Re: C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

Krylon has many shades of gray in rattle cans, one of which (can't remember) I used on shocks when I had a '71. Try to gage the color by looking at other Corvettes. Clean the shocks with laquer thinner and let them dry completely prior to painting. Tape off the shock rods.
Kent #6201

[Charles P.]

Re: C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

http://www.ss396.com/pdf/newchevelle/28_31.pdf#search='gm%20gray%20shock%20paint'

This page has a chip color for Gm shock gray at the bottom. Is this near correct? It seems a bit dark. Any opinions?

[Kent K.]

Re: C-3 Rear shock replacement questions

Charles,
Looks pretty close to me, however, one must remember that printed representations of colors are only as accurate as the color balance procedure utilized by the printer and proofer. Then, when scanned into PDF format, there may have been further color hue degredation and your computer's color balance accuracy plays another critical part in the picture.
As I suggested previously, observation of the shocks on others Corvettes would provide you with a best example. Others may have differing opinions.
Kent #6201