Rear Shocks - Pair

Replace both rear shock absorbers on a 1970 AMC Rebel Machine to restore proper suspension damping and ride quality.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear shock absorber × 2 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty equivalent for 390ci application

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Apply penetrating oil to all shock absorber mounting nuts and bolts, allow to soak for 15-30 minutes
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear axle center, supporting the differential housing
5. Place jack stands under frame rails on both sides ahead of rear axle mounting points
6. Lower vehicle weight onto jack stands while keeping jack slightly engaged to support axle weight

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper shock mount on driver side
   Locate the upper shock mount which passes through the frame rail. On the Rebel, this is typically accessible from above the axle. The upper mount uses a nut on a threaded stud or bolt-through configuration.
2. 2

   Remove driver side upper mounting hardware
   Using a combination wrench to hold the stud or bolt head, remove the upper mounting nut with a socket and ratchet. On original equipment, this is typically 1/2 inch or 9/16 inch hardware. Retain all washers and bushings in order of removal.
3. 3

   Remove driver side lower mounting hardware
   Locate the lower shock mount on the rear axle housing or lower control arm bracket. Remove the lower mounting bolt or nut while supporting the shock body. The shock may be under slight tension even with the suspension unloaded.
4. 4

   Extract driver side shock absorber
   Compress the shock slightly if needed and withdraw it from the upper mounting stud. Remove the shock from the vehicle. Inspect all mounting bushings, washers, and sleeves for wear or deterioration.
5. 5

   Prepare driver side replacement shock
   Transfer any reusable bushings or washers to the new shock if the replacement does not include them. Ensure upper and lower bushings are properly oriented with any flanged edges facing outward. Extend and compress the new shock several times to verify proper operation.
6. 6

   Install driver side replacement shock
   Position the new shock with the upper mount inserted through the frame bracket. Align the lower mount with the axle bracket. Install upper mounting hardware finger-tight, ensuring washers and bushings are in correct order. Install lower mounting hardware finger-tight.
7. 7

   Torque driver side shock mounts
   Torque the upper mounting nut to manufacturer specification, typically 25-35 ft-lbs for this application. Torque the lower mounting bolt to specification, typically 45-55 ft-lbs. Consult factory service manual for exact values if available. Do not over-torque as this can damage bushings.
8. 8

   Remove passenger side shock
   Repeat the removal process for the passenger side shock. Remove upper mounting nut while holding stud or bolt head, then remove lower mounting hardware. Extract the shock and inspect all hardware.
9. 9

   Install passenger side replacement shock
   Install the passenger side replacement shock using the same procedure as the driver side. Insert upper mount through frame bracket, align lower mount with axle bracket, and install all hardware finger-tight with proper bushing orientation.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side shock mounts
    Torque upper and lower mounting hardware to the same specifications as the driver side. Ensure both shocks are securely mounted with no excessive play or loose hardware.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle
    Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to unload jack stands. Remove jack stands from under frame rails. Carefully lower vehicle to ground, allowing suspension to settle to normal ride height.

Reassembly

1. Verify all mounting hardware is tight after vehicle settles to ride height
2. Check that shock absorbers move freely without binding through suspension travel
3. Inspect for any interference between shocks and nearby components

Verification

• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle - suspension should rebound smoothly and settle quickly without excessive oscillation
• Visually inspect that both shocks are vertical and properly aligned with no binding
• Test drive vehicle at low speed over gentle bumps to confirm improved damping and no unusual noises
• Re-check all mounting hardware torque after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle