My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: dluyk on September 23, 2015, 07:13:47 PM

Title: Replacing Shocks
Post by: dluyk on September 23, 2015, 07:13:47 PM

I'm going to replace the old shocks on the CJ - any suggestions on brands and tips and things not to do?


Thanks.

Title: Re: Replacing Shocks
Post by: Ryan_M on September 24, 2015, 12:23:52 PM

Brush up on your foul words as you'll need them all when trying to compress the rubber shock bushing enough to fit the washers and cotter pins in place. There was a specialized tool for this but I and others have made their own using a C clamp and metal tube with a notch in it.

Or you could trade your 3A for an M38 as they wised up by then and used threaded shafts with locknuts instead of the 3A style cotter pin� :)

Title: Re: Replacing Shocks
Post by: oldtime on September 24, 2015, 03:33:18 PM

I use two pair of "6R" Vise grips to compress the bushings.

For a stock Willys Flatfender these are the best...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1945-1962-Willys-CJ2A-Or-CJ3A-Jeep-Monroe-Shocks-Pair-/271837067090?fits=Model%3AWillys&hash=item3f4ac07752&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: Replacing Shocks
Post by: Ryan_M on November 17, 2015, 09:14:15 PM

I wanted to follow up with a picture of my homemade shock compressor "tool". This is not my original idea but it works great. It's just a short length of metal tube with a couple notches cut it in along with a 6" C-clamp. Pretty slick. It took longer to get the old shocks off than it did to put the new ones on.


(http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z403/rmurdock2121/1949%20Willys%20CJ3A%2031149/20151117_185709_zpsxyqp37mn.jpg)


Excuse the crummy shock paint - it's a beater Jeep that I had to get the shocks installed on tonight.