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Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-08 1:46 AM (#614089)
Subject: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Two+ years ago (April 2019), I swapped out the older Gabriel rear shocks that came with my car (56 Dodge Custom Royal D500 V8) when I bought it in Sept. 2016 for Monroe 31131s that were listed as being for a 1968 Dodge Dart 340 V8. At the time they were better than what came on my car, so there was some progress.

Just about 2 years later (March 2021), while on the highway, at speed (lets say 70 mph(ish)), I discovered that I didn't like those 31131s shock any more. At those speeds the car kind of wallowed through some of the highway bumps (especially in the cross-wind that existed during my drive). It felt a bit scary to be honest. I decided that I wanted to go to a heavier stiffer shock (and maybe helper (coil-over the shock) springs). I asked for suggestions and Nathan (Powerflite) suggested MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting shocks that came with an integral coil-over helper spring.

I bought those (March 10, 2021). They were a bit tricky due to the fact that they needed to be compressed in order to fit on the OE upper and lower shock mounts. I figured it out using a ratchet strap to achieve the compression. I was pleased with the result (somewhat stiffer ride and less wallowing), so all seemed good.

REFERENCE: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=71242&...

Until today

Today and yesterday, I was cleaning and painting the rear leaf springs on my car. In order to access the outside of the spring to wire brush the surface rust and dirt off, I intended to remove the rear wheel and tire. Try as I might with jacking the frame of the car up to create spring droop and then jacking the body up beyond that with the bumper jack, I could not get the required clearance to remove the 235/75/15 tire on my 7" x 15 cop car wheels. In the end, I just manipulated the wheel and tire (stuck in the wheel well) to give me the needed access to the spring for wire brushing (wire wheels in my portable drill) and then painting. It worked but I was confused why I couldn't take the wheel off. I had done it before when I had a flat so what the heck is going on??

Same thing to day on the right side. Jack the frame until the wheel was about 4 inches off the garage floor, then bumper jack the body higher until the bumper was within 1/8" of the pot metal taillight surround. Nope. Not enough clearance for the wheel and tire to come off. So I did the duck and tilt work-around (again). But I was still confused. I had had that wheel off not that long ago (last fall?) to fix a flat (screw).

This is kind of clearance that I was working with:



This is an example of how high I had the wheel and tire off the garage floor today:



After I got it all buttoned up again and I was going in the house for supper/dinner, the light bulb *finally* went on.

The MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting shocks aren't allowing the same axle droop that the previous less stiff shocks had allowed. The 58496s are holding the axle up a bit higher than before, enough so I can't get enough clearance to man-handle the wheel and tire out of the wheel well.

Possible solutions:

1. Figure out a way to use a bottle jack between the frame and the axle to force an increase in droop.

2. *OR* temporarily disconnect the bottom of the shock from the bottom shock mount and move the shock away from the mount to allow the axle weight to create the needed droop. Not sure how easy it will be to get the shock mounted at the bottom again.

*OR*

3. Something that I haven't thought of that one of you might suggest to me. (BUT not including going to narrower 215/75/15 tires - that might happen but not tomorrow).





Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-08 1:48 AM
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Powerflite
Posted 2021-08-08 11:19 AM (#614092 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: So. Cal		If you look back at the thread that you quoted, you will see that I warned you of this saying: "The only issue with them is they come a little short so you can't extend your axle as far down to remove large tires as easily." You can't use a jack to get the axle lower because the shock is a hard stop preventing the axle from moving. If you do manage to force it to move, the shock will come apart in pieces, but most likely, you'll just bend things, so that's a very bad idea. But I can get my 17x235x60 tires on 7" rims off without removing the shock - by manipulating it around the drum and having the car high enough to work it. If you can't, removing the bottom mount of the shock is your only option. It isn't hard, but you need a good jack under it to make removal and re-install easier.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-08 12:09 PM (#614095 - in reply to #614092)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Nathan: Why yes indeed, you did warn me (and I either ignored that or forgot about it - Sorry ):

Powerflite - 2021-03-06 7:45 PM

For the rear, I always use the Monroe load-adjusting shocks with helper springs - the last on your list there. I like them for how they handle the weight well with old rear springs, but I use them with new springs as well. The only issue with them is they come a little short so you can't extend your axle as far down to remove large tires as easily. But still, as long are you're not running 235 series tires on 7", you won't have an issue. Even then, you can get the tires off & on, but it takes a little finagling.


I guess I will have to remove the shock from the lower mount to get the wheel (with my 235/75/15 tires on 7" cop rims) off.

I am theoretically planning to go to American Racing TorqueThrust wheels at which time I would get new 215/75/15 white wall tires.

Maybe sooner than later.



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-08 1:58 PM
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wizard
Posted 2021-08-08 12:55 PM (#614098 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island		I had this problem on an Buick Electra '68 Dave - the shocks was too short for to be able to get the wheels out. The Electra had fender skirts and small wheel openings in the rear.

Finally, I solved this by drilling a new hole 1/2" higher up for the lower mount. That worked nicely and the shocks still never bottons out.
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StillOutThere
Posted 2021-08-08 2:58 PM (#614102 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: Under the X in Texas		Probably a hundred times I have loosened the bottom shock mount to get necessary "drop" to remove tires on many cars. Fast, simple, obvious.
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wizard
Posted 2021-08-08 3:27 PM (#614103 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island		By the roadside it's less easy ....
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1960fury
Posted 2021-08-08 7:18 PM (#614107 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: northern germany		And I thought the 60/61 118"wb guys (the lowest FL wheel cutouts) only have these problems. I'm running 8" wide rims and a pretty big rear sway bar on a 60 Fury, go figure.....
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-08-09 1:42 AM (#614110 - in reply to #614102)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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StillOutThere - 2021-08-08 11:58 AM
Probably a hundred times I have loosened the bottom shock mount to get necessary "drop" to remove tires on many cars. Fast, simple, obvious.


Obvious? Maybe to you after "hundreds (of) times" on "many cars" but for me this is only my second FL car. The last one I had (a 55 Plodge) was 1967 to 1972, almost 50 years ago.
And I didn't run big tires on it. So the issue never came up (back then)

So this (1956 Dodge) is still a learning experience for me.

But I do learn, with the assistance of helpful FL forum members. So "Thanks" to those who do help me.



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-08-09 1:44 AM
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60 dart
Posted 2021-08-09 4:44 AM (#614112 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA		got pretty much the same problem with my dart with 225/70/15,s -------------------------------------later
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narleycharlie
Posted 2021-10-21 8:35 PM (#616102 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks


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Location: Slidell La.		I have 275/ 60s, what a bitch to remove, the rear end is from a 74 E Body, 1/4 inch wider on each side. Last time I had a wheel off, I had to bust the shock loose on the bottom and jack the opposite wheel up as high as it goes. All that said, it's a 59 Plymouth
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60 dart
Posted 2021-10-21 11:56 PM (#616106 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA		what i did was locate shock length charts to buy longer shocks . even the the grommets did't match
the ID size i needed , i just swapped grommets from old to new shocks . new shocks are @ 2.5 longer
with extended/compressed lengths being ok ---------------------------later
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Powerflite
Posted 2021-10-22 12:34 AM (#616107 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: So. Cal		Which shocks did you end up using Chuck?
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60 dart
Posted 2021-10-23 12:01 AM (#616135 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA		monroe = MA775 air shocks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144252469746?epid=112574825&hash=item21961e...
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Powerflite
Posted 2021-10-23 2:00 AM (#616136 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: So. Cal		I'm not a fan of air shocks. But I find that Gabriel high-jackers tend to last longer with fewer issues than the Monroe.
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60 dart
Posted 2021-10-24 12:11 AM (#616215 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA		i've had my old monroes for nearly 20 yrs. , still pump up 150lbs and never a leak off. but one
does not have to use air at all if not needed --------------------------------------later
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Mike P
Posted 2021-10-27 8:15 AM (#616322 - in reply to #616215)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks


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Location: SE Arizona		Kind of the same issue on my 57 Plymouth, although for slightly different reasons. I’m running the correct length shocks but with add on coil helper springs (Superior 14-0490). I put them on mostly for the extra weight in the trunk on long trips. My issue comes mostly from running a slightly wider rear axle and wider tires (235/70/15s on 15 X 7 cop car wheels).

It's almost impossible to get the tire and wheel in or out with an inflated tire, although not that much of a problem with a flat tire (AMHIK LOL).

My only real concern was having a flat out on the road. So for a spare I’m using a 225/75/15 on a 6.5” inch wheel (narrower but the same height). Should I have issues getting that on I carry one of those little compressors that plugs into the cigarette lighter in case I need to deflate it a little to get it in the fender well. Figure the spare will get me home or to the nearest tire store.
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dels56
Posted 2021-11-28 11:48 PM (#617243 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks


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I followed Dave’s lead on the load leveller rear shocks as I needed new one anyway. The ones on the car, what they were I have no idea, were dirty and leaking, so to the dump they went. I have only had the car on the highway once at speeds up to 70 MPH and I did not notice any issue with ride or sway. I have Coker radial tires on the car. Possibly a different tire would ride different? Once I get back to Canada from our winter in the sunny south, I will test the old girl out and follow up then.

I have air shocks on my 71 Scamp and it rides and handles well.
Del S
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Mopar1
Posted 2021-11-30 9:21 PM (#617285 - in reply to #617243)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: N.W. Fla.		yYou could turn it into a NASCAR tribute car and cut out the wheel wells...... :-)
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-11-30 9:59 PM (#617288 - in reply to #617285)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Mopar1 - 2021-11-30 6:21 PM
You could turn it into a NASCAR tribute car and cut out the wheel wells...... :-)


You must have missed my post where I did that already:





KIDDING!!!


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ttotired
Posted 2021-12-08 6:18 PM (#617479 - in reply to #614089)
Subject: Re: Unintentional consequences of switching to MONROE 58496 Load Adjusting Rear Shocks



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Location: Perth Australia		Get your inner wheel arch lips rolled up. It will give you 1/2 an inch more clearance
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