1960s Shock replacement for a 1962 CDV..

[62 CDV]

I can't help but make sure about what I'm reading in the '62 shop manual.

In replacing front shocks on this car, the shop manual makes no mention of jacking up the front of the car before beginning the changing process. It seems almost too good to be true. Can I actually get away with changing the front shocks without raising the front end off the ground?

Thanks in advance for the due diligence.

[Michael Petti]

Having done it, I don't see how.

[Clewisiii]

I installed mine with the car just elevated 3 inches on wheel dollies. But I used Hydraulic shocks so they did not automatically extend to full length.

[62 CDV]

So now that I've started this job, I've encountered a few more issues.

After jacking up the rear of the car by putting the jack under the differential, I find that it's impossible to reach the upper shock mount now while lying on my back with wrenches in my hand. I thought that I'd probably have to remove the rear tires in order to access the upper shock mount from the side of the car. Problem is, with the car jacked up under the differential, I can't get the rear tires off the car because the differential is too high and the rear quarter panel and brake drum get in the way as I try to remove the tire.

My question now is this: do I need to put the jackstands under the frame first, then remove the rear tires, and then jack up the diff so I can access the upper shock mount from the side of the car? Do I even need to jack up the differential at all after raising the car with the jackstands under the frame?

Thanks in advance for the due diligence.

[Clewisiii]

The upper mounts to the frame. No need to raise the differential for that if you do it first. But if you do the bottom first and do not have enough thread length to reach the top then you will.