Front shock mount question

[craiginaustin]

I recently bought replacement shocks for my 1964 C10. I ordered KYB Excel-G shocks for front and back. I went to install the fronts today and the mount on the lower control arm is too narrow for the shock. I'm a total newbie when it comes this, so I'm sure I'm missing something obvious...

I ordered KYB part # 344068, which multiple sites list as applicable, including Summit where I ordered mine from.

This shows the new shock vs the bracket on the control arm -- it's way too wide to fit.



This is a picture of the new ones vs the old ones -- you can see the old ones seem to have a rubber bushing as well making it a flush mount in the bracket vs the bossed bushing.



What am I missing?

[Captainfab]

What I would do is cut/grind the inner sleeve down to fit inside the bracket. This is assuming that the ID of the sleeve is the correct size for the bolt.

[craiginaustin]

Thanks captainfab. It seems strange that the mount would be so far out for what seems like a really popular shock for our trucks.

After doing some research tonight it appears there are two types of mounts - eye, which I have, and loop bushing which the current one has.

Monroe's equivalent part is loop bushing, and the length of the bushing is a little shorter. It's a shame I haven't read many positive reviews of the Monroe shocks, my overall impression was that KYBs are much better.

[craiginaustin]

Man, I've been down a rabbit hole. It seems like the Monroe OE spectrum (which used to be sensatrac) are actually pretty good. Maybe I'll just return these to summit and pick up a set of them or their NAPA equivalents.

[gizmoduck81]

I installed KYB Monomax on the front of my '63 and I'm really happy with them. I think some others on here have done the same. No fitment issues for me.

[chevy_mike]

Also keep in mind that the arm brackets "squish" in when tightened. If the old shock bushings were a little narrow, they would squish in and not allow anything larger to fit. I have had to tweak a few of these over the years. You can expand these a little by using a bolt and nut, that you can fit between the ears. Hold the bolt head and "loosen" the nut with your wrench, pushing on the ears. This will expand them out. You might still need to trim a little off the shock bushing with a grinder but not as much.

[72SWBKirby]

I know this is a little old but just wanted to say Thank You, this came in handy tonight as mine were not fitting as well. I guess I'll do a little work to get them to bolt in.

[Robert Haas]

press the sleeve out before cutting or grinding it. If you get it hot, it will melt the rubber isolator and you will have a nice "clunky" shock