Rear shock fell off

I cant make this $hit up. 72 lark. Cruising alone on the interstate at 70. Hear a sound and look to my left rear to see something cylindrical skid down the interstate. Drive shaft I thought? Hit the gas, and nope not drive shaft. Pull to the side, get out, all looks good. Look under car and see left shock is missing. Limp home, get truck and drive back. Sure was....found the shock. Come home and look, everything is fine. Just the bolts are gone. No issue with anything. Go to look at my left one, use my knees to boumce the body a little and sure enough.....thunk thunk, the top mounting bolts are almost all the way loose.

Enough of the story....the PO had put air shocks on at some point. I like the slight rake look at a cruise or car show. Question is, what do i put on the car now? Size? Model number?

Springs look fine, no sag to one side or another.

Front i have 235.60.15's
Rear i have 255.60.15's

 

Air shocks are not good for the cars overall handling. I'm confused a little, did you know there were air shocks as there are air hoses?
If you like a little rake, you should replace the rear springs with ones that are rated at 1 inch taller, let the springs regulate the rake. Then put regular shocks of you choice as far as stiffness.
Swapping the rear springs is pretty easy. I don't have any model numbers but it's easy to find on the stores site.
I'm also sure there are members that will chime in and give you the exact specs and numbers you want..

I'm guessing the shocks coming off are from the previous owners error than bracket rust?

 

Yes, i knew there were air shocks on the car. There was no bracket rust or anything. What i am thinking happened was the top bolts came loose or broke. All I know is that it is a crazy situation.

I would be curious to know what springs i should run on this. Anyone know what OD the stock spring is supposed to be? I will have to look, but the OD spring on there now is around 6-3/4" I believe. I have another set of springs at home, but they are only 5" OD.

 

VERY strange situation but GOOD TO HEAR it's not due to a rust issue. Though I would think the vertical pressure would keep a bolt from turning; sounds like they were installed and not torqued down. I'm not a spring expert but I look forward to some photos of your final result when you get it all sorted out.
-MIG

 

Here is a link to what I found on the right shock that was still attached. The left one is the one that fell off.

 

It's been so long since iv'e been under a A body but weren't the top shock bolts held on by a bracket clip? Maby he used a nut and bolt with no lock washer?
I wouldn't go by the width of the overall spring when judging height.
Iv'e seen members post about springs made by Moog. The should have a chart..
The video isn't working though??

The "woah and the sway" section here should help alot..

 

try the link again. I had to try something different.

 

Yup the screws are loose. You should be able to put your fingers above the bracket to feel the nuts or if there's a tacked on type of nut.
That sure looks a solid frame!

 

If you are just looking for a slight rake, I would just put air bags in your rear springs. That way you can set the rake exactly how you want it. I had these in my 68 and they worked great.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/air-60844

 

Yeah, i am wondering how this happened. Did the PO cross thread the bolts when he put the new shocks on? Are the bolts just old and rusty and broke? Either way, I will get it fixed tonight. We have a final "before storage" meet and greet tomorrow we would like to attend.

How do the springs come out to put the bags in? Sound like an easy job to do, but i have never had to remove the springs before. I would seriously look at these bags if someone can tell me how to get the springs out and then reinstalled with the bags.

 

I have air shocks that the wife just picked up today. MA762 shocks. I will get them installed for the time being. If I order these bags, would my shocks be fine, or would I need to swap them for a gas shock?

 

You don't have to remove the springs to put the bags in. You jack the car up by the frame (put jack stands under it! and remove the wheel/tire) and that way when the axle droops, the spring expands and you can shove the deflated bags between the coils.

 

Can i run them to just 1 fill spot on the bags or do i need them independent?

 

You could do it either way.

Most folks that drag race their A bodies will make them independent, so they can pre-load the passenger side for a better launch.

 

You want to run separate lines. They come with two. That way you can adjust the height of each side separately. Or preload the right rear for drag racing.