Mrmerlin

Jerry my observations about the bumper shocks ARE true, please don't discount them.
the shocks are a one time use.

New condition is 70 MM.

That means that once the bumper bar is hit the shock will collapse.

NOTE they will stay in the collapsed position,
because they have locks inside of them that prevent them returning to original position.
and thus the bumper bar will not return to its original position.

To prove this point will require you to measure the shocks under the PU cover,
this can be done by reaching up under the PU cover.

The only way to restore that condition is to replace the bumper shocks.

Since your investigative info is not much on the bumper shock issue,
I would suggest that you also consider how to remedy the bumper shocks as this damage happens before the grill slats break.

I would suggest that you should go get a shock thats been collapsed and try to pry it back to its stock 70mm condition.

NOTE the shock ears will bend before the shock will move, thus restoring the shock to original position. wont happen.

If you like I can send you a few to work on. I have 6 shocks here waiting to be scrapped.



in this picture this is the best one I have thats closest to 70 MM NOTE this shock was purchased from 928 INTL and after installing it and fitting the PU cover is when I realized that it was compromised, they sent me a good 70mm shock after I called them

Jerry Feather

Thanks Stan. I have the failed shocks out of my 85 and I am actually thinking of putting one of them in my lathe and opening it up to see just how they are designed to lock into place when collapsed to a certain point, or to any point. I am still at the point of believing that there is some flex in their operation short of full collapse when they will in fact rebound to their original position since the ones in my 82 seem to have done just that. I am pretty sure that the ones in my 82 have flexed enough to break all the grill stanchions and yet have rebounded to their original position, or at least very close to it.. The front lights are where they should be yet all the grill stanchions were broken.

I had my lathe set up for a particular project which I have competed, so I think I'll chuck one of the struts in my lathe and cut it open. I hope it does not blow up in my face.

Mrmerlin

well they do have a note printed on them them that says they are pressurized.

NOW it might be possible to fully collapse a shock and have it be able to be moved back to full extension ,

but of all the shocks I have replaced,
none of them could ever be pried back to the 70 MM operational point.
I enclosed a picture to assist with you with the visualization process of where the 70MM measurement comes from

Jerry Feather

Stan, I am curious about how when you installed the 66.24mm strut in a car and then put the PU bumper cover back on, you were able to notice or tell that the strut from Mark A had been compromised such a small amount, less than 4mm.

I am also curious about just how the struts are pressurized and with what. I would think that we would be hearing a lot more (more than nothing) about leakage issues with these, especially the ones that are fully collapsed. Have you ever heard anything about that?

Have you ever seen any kind of diagram showing how they are made? I haven't, and I can't find just about anything in the WSM about them other than a drawing and a name.

Mrmerlin

Jerry, the only way to tell if they are good bumper shocks is to measure them.
Otherwise going through the drill of removing the PU,
then the bumper bar,
then the shocks,
and refitting everything.

NOTE that's when your eyes will tell you that one set of the lamps are clearly not in the same position as the other side.

This is why its so easy to spot hidden front bumper damage, with the correctly fitted parts VS ones that are not the right size
as the fog lamp and turn signal lenses will appear to be more sunken into the PU opening.
Especially when you have a good 70MM shock installed on the other side.
NOTE I tried moving the bolts around in the bumper shocks to see If I could make them even,
but it wasnt gonna happen.

It was my mistake of not measuring both of the new used shocks before installing them,
one was good the other wasn`t.

absolutely clear as mud till the PU was bolted on.
Lucky that I stood back and looked at how well the assembly was first before installing the spoiler.
STILL...
Rework....
As far as the shocks go,
I have never tried to open one,
I did remember seeing a note that said do not open.
Drilling a hole sounds like a safe first step.

Speedtoys

(Moved)

Jerry Feather

I did little work on one of these water jet cut pieces in my mill earlier today. It is pretty close to wher



e they need to go, but not quite. I stil have to design and work up the top two pieces and figure out how to wind the spring necessary for them to function like they are designed..

grepin

One more thing to add to the list. Waiting on the belly pans to be available.