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Old 01-15-2007, 11:09 AM   #1
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67 Caravel Shocks

I bought new shocks for my 67' Airstream Caravel 17ft. By looking at the shocks it looks as if you have to take off the drums and backing plates to have enough clearance to remove the shock away from the mounting stud without it getting in a bind. If this is true are there any tricks or recommendations for the easiest way.
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Old 01-15-2007, 11:33 AM   #2
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Hi, and welcome to the forums.
To answer your question, you will need to bend the shock bracket outward slightly so the shock can be removed. The alternative is to unbolt the axle to gain enough clearance for the shock. You can bend the bracket back into place when you are finished. Removing the tire will give you more room to work.
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Old 01-15-2007, 11:43 AM   #3
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When I finally mounted my shocks to my trailer, I unbolted the axle and dropped it down just enough to slide the shock on and repeated the process on the other side.
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Old 01-15-2007, 01:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
I bought new shocks for my 67' Airstream Caravel 17ft. By looking at the shocks it looks as if you have to take off the drums and backing plates to have enough clearance to remove the shock away from the mounting stud without it getting in a bind. If this is true are there any tricks or recommendations for the easiest way.
Bend the shock bracket just enough to enable the removal of the shock.

It is not necessary to bend the bracket back in place when your done.

Andy
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Old 01-15-2007, 01:53 PM   #5
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Bend It - already done this on my 66 Caravel.
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Old 01-15-2007, 02:54 PM   #6
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thanks for all the suggestions guys
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:03 PM   #7
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If anyone is interested the part no. on those shocks are #20718 from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $14 each. From Napa their #94005 but I think theirs are about $25 each. If you don't have one of those auto parts stores just tell them you need front shocks for a late 60's early 70s Chevy 1/2 ton truck. These match the existing length shocks pretty close.
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:23 PM   #8
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Its a design issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
... just tell them you need front shocks for a late 60's early 70s Chevy 1/2 ton truck. These match the existing length shocks pretty close.
Airstream shock absorbers are designed to work while mounted near-horizontal.

While the shocks you mentioned may physically bolt up, they will not function as well as they do in the vertical orientation in the Chevy trucks you mentioned.

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Old 01-15-2007, 03:31 PM   #9
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I'm not sure what you mean about mounting horizontally? These shocks are mounted verically up and down on my Airstream.
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:33 PM   #10
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I got those part no's from previous forums I found on the internet about Airstream shocks.
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:36 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
If anyone is interested the part no. on those shocks are #20718 from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $14 each. From Napa their #94005 but I think theirs are about $25 each. If you don't have one of those auto parts stores just tell them you need front shocks for a late 60's early 70s Chevy 1/2 ton truck. These match the existing length shocks pretty close.

The NAPA number you quoted is good "BUT" only for the vertical shocks.

A vertical shock is absolutely useless in a horizontal position.

Airstream trailers from 1966 and back used vertical shocks, and 1967 and up all use horizontal shocks, except some Caravel models.

DO NOT USE A VERTICAL SHOCK IN PLACE OF A HORIZONTAL SHOCK.

Andy
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:45 PM   #12
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He may be abrupt on occasion but

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
I got those part no's from previous forums I found on the internet about Airstream shocks.
Hang around this forum and you will find that Andy knows what he is talking about.

From my own background I know about design differences.

Tom
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Old 01-15-2007, 03:49 PM   #13
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Well I can only assume I have one of those vertical models. These shocks don't look any different or mount any different than the ones on my 62' VW convertible. The original Delco part no. 3166784 on my shocks matched another guys forum on his 62 Bambi and this is the same replacement part no. he gave for the shocks to buy that I did. How the heck does a horizontal shock system work and look like?
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Old 01-15-2007, 04:27 PM   #14
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I don't have photos of my horizontal mounting to share

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Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
Well I can only assume I have one of those vertical models. ... How the heck does a horizontal shock system work and look like?
You may well have a 'vertical' model.

At this point you need to post a photo of your Caravel's existing configuration as I do not have a jpeg of my near-horizontally mounted shocks to share for comparison.

All said & done, you might be in good shape.

Tom
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Old 01-15-2007, 04:30 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomW
You may well have a 'vertical' model.

At this point you need to post a photo of your Caravel's existing configuration as I do not have a jpeg of my near-horizontally mounted shocks to share for comparison.

All said & done, you might be in good shape.

Tom

Vertical mounted shocks are almost 90 degress straight up, from horizontal.

Horizontal shocks are at about a 30 degree angle up from horizontal.

Andy
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Old 01-15-2007, 05:07 PM   #16
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Well then I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear now and have the correct vertical shocks for my 67'. Those shocks are pretty much vertical and by no means lay at a 30 degree incline or so. Thanks for all you guys input. I've had many restored cars but this is my first classic trailer and I just bought it last week for $2300. I think I got a heck of a deal. If anyone is interested in seeing it I can send pics.
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Old 01-15-2007, 05:27 PM   #17
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Post some pix under the photos tab

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1967-Caravel
.. If anyone is interested in seeing it I can send pics.
This forum gives each member a fairly good chunk of disk space under the "photos" tab in which to post pictures.

We would all appreciate seeing pictures of your "new" Caravel.

Tom
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Old 01-15-2007, 05:48 PM   #18
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I just posted pictures under my profile........Please view and I would appreciate any positive or negative feedback about trailer.
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Old 01-15-2007, 06:03 PM   #19
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Nice!

Nice looking trailer. That should be a cool project!

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Old 01-15-2007, 07:41 PM   #20
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caravel shocks

I bought the more expensive original equip. shocks from Inland RV because they dampen in both directions! A car shock keeps your car from bottoming out-one direction. The new shocks actually restored the proper height of the trailer relative to the tire and axle so I have more wheel well room. (still only 3/4" on the frig side) joe q in flyover land (MN)
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