Rear shock install help - To all the AVO crew

[krs09]

Humor me here for a min. I'm finally getting around to installing a set of AVO performance rear shocks with some new springs from DeloreanGo. I got the one side out yesterday and now I'm trying to figure out how to swap over the spring cup onto the new shock. The new shock has a plastic black collar/retainer that sits on top of the large main adjust "nut" let's say. The problem I'm having is the cheapy looking collar/retainer wont quite fit into the base of the cup (maybe if I really force it but it feels like I may break it. If I don't use it there is a crazy amount of play with the cup just sitting on the main "nut". I tried new half circle metal stock retainer's but they are too small to fit flush around the AVO shock. Am I missing something OR just force that cheap plastic bitch on and hope for the best that it won't snap? P.s I'm also learning the poly bushings in the base of these are shit so I'll have to order the rubber replacements before install .. any tips to swap them out? I guess just cut off the old and squeeze in the new? Thirdly: Do you extended the shock a few times before install. I've read you should extended them to work the seals (I dunno). Needless to say I need your help family. I plan to swap out the bushings in all the rear links and get them painted while I'm down there, so I have a few days to get her done. Any and all help from the AVO crew or otherwise.

[David T]

Humor me here for a min. I'm finally getting around to installing a set of AVO performance rear shocks with some new springs from DeloreanGo. I got the one side out yesterday and now I'm trying to figure out how to swap over the spring cup onto the new shock. The new shock has a plastic black collar/retainer that sits on top of the large main adjust "nut" let's say. The problem I'm having is the cheapy looking collar/retainer wont quite fit into the base of the cup (maybe if I really force it but it feels like I may break it. If I don't use it there is a crazy amount of play with the cup just sitting on the main "nut". I tried new half circle metal stock retainer's but they are too small to fit flush around the AVO shock. Am I missing something OR just force that cheap plastic bitch on and hope for the best that it won't snap? P.s I'm also learning the poly bushings in the base of these are shit so I'll have to order the rubber replacements before install .. any tips to swap them out? I guess just cut off the old and squeeze in the new? Thirdly: Do you extended the shock a few times before install. I've read you should extended them to work the seals (I dunno). Needless to say I need your help family. I plan to swap out the bushings in all the rear links and get them painted while I'm down there, so I have a few days to get her done. Any and all help from the AVO crew or otherwise.

I can't help you with the springs but I can help with the shocks. It is "Good Practice" to extend and retract the shocks several times slowly holding them vertical. It helps to expel any air in the fluid because when they get shipped they are horizontal and air can get into the fluid in that position. After you exercise the shocks keep them in a vertical position till they are installed. Exercising them will also tell you if they have any hard spots, they work smoothly, aren't bent or leaking and will extend and retract all the way. No sense putting a bad shock in. They should both feel about the same too.

[todd1561]

I put AVOs on my car back in 2022. Yes, you need to use the plastic bushings, I don't recall it being an issue installing them, but it was several years ago now. Below is a picture of mine installed, maybe that will help to reference. It's also possible they've changed something about those bushings or sourced different ones which is causing some issue. The original Girling shocks had a similar bushing, be sure you're not keeping those in place. If nothing else send an email to the folks at DeLoreanGo, Arran over there is usually pretty responsive.

I have more pictures on my site under the suspension section: https://1561project.com/?page=suspension-refinish

Oh and I read similar things about the red poly bushings that come with these not lasting long. I've had mine installed for almost 4 years and they probably sat in my garage for a couple years before that and so far no issues. So YMMV on that. However, if I were to do it again I'd probably take D-Go's advice and just buy the rubber bushings up front and avoid some potential hassle down the road.

https://1561project.com/brakerebuild-media/IMG_2674.JPG