Re: [Amc-list] Shock absorbing goodness!

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

When the shocks are unevenly worn one wheel will dip more than the other when braking hard, causing the "pull". Those shocks must have been pretty much gone! 

It's easy to make a nice set of ramps with a skill saw and 2x6 or 2x8. For 6" lift you need four layers, six layers for 9" ( a 2x is really 1.5" thick and loses 1/2" in width -- it was 2"x whatever before planing smooth). The top board needs to be at least 10" long. I would nail a 2x2 to the end to serve as a tire stop. After that 10" you need at least 4" per layer longer, 5" is a bit better. That means for 9" of lift the minimum length of the bottom board will be 28", 35" if you go with +5" per lift board. So with 5" per lift board a pair of 12" 2x6s or 2x8s would make a pair of ramps. The ends of the boards can be cut at an angle for a little easier drive up, but it's not necessary. Or cut some 2.5" long pieces of 1x6/1x8 to fit between the steps. You can make them wider if you want, but 2x8 (7.5" wide) is about all that's necessary. 7.5" is 190.5 mm, 5.5" is 140 mm, most tires are only 8" (a 205 tire is 8.07" wide). 2x10 won't hurt though. 

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Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:29:31 -0400
From: "Bruce Griffis" <bruce.griffis@xxxxxxxxx>

It's true! It's true!!!! Shock absorbers do make a difference in
braking. Who'da thunk it?

My son and I decided to hit the front shock absorbers today. We left
the car on the ground, wheels on the ground. I wouldn't have done that
without everyone's suggestions! (a good ramp would have made it a lot
more accessible. I need to look for a man's ramp, not a toy ramp!)

New shock absorbers went in nice and easy. A little tough compressing
them while installing them, but it worked out just fine. Took a
victory lap around the neighborhood, then out on the road. It did much
better over the bumps, and didn't seem to float anymore. Figured I'd
brake hard a few times - and it was much straighter! I didn't believe
for a second it would make a difference, but it did.



-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


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