Replacing Front Shock Absorbers - 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

In this video, I'm replacing the front shock absorbers with Monroe OESpectrum shocks on my 1985 Caprice Classic. The shocks are Monroe part no. 5801. This should be suitable for the 1977-1990 Caprice Classic sedan (but not the police/taxi version). This is not sponsored by Monroe. Remember to have the front end aligned after replacing the shock absorbers.
NOTE that there are several comments below regarding the front shock top bolt just spinning as you attempt to remove the front shock top nut. If this happens, the nut is just stuck on the central shaft and you’re just spinning the central shaft along with the nut. I guess I got lucky removing mine that the shaft didn’t spin. From 8:48 through 11:05 in the video, you’ll see the process for reattaching the upper nut. You have to reverse this process to get yours off if it is just spinning the shaft. The shop manual does indicate that there is a special wrench for this, but as you can see in the video I was able to make this work with an offset wrench attachment. You’ll need to attach an offset wrench to the nut and then grip the square part at the top of the bolt with a pair of vise grips or something to hold the shaft in place while you loosen the nut. It’s an awkward and tight space to be working. But the good news is that you don’t have to worry about messing it up since you’ll be taking out the old shock anyway. Also, put some liquid wrench or WD40 on the nut and threads first and let it penetrate for awhile to help make it easier to remove the nut. Loosening that top nut will require 2 points of contact: the offset wrench on the nut and vise grips on the square end of the bolt/shaft itself to hold it in place while you try to loosen the nut.
I have another video for replacing the rear shock absorbers here: • Replacing Rear Shock A... And, I have another video for putting the powder-coated wheels and new tires back on the car here: • Installing Restored Wh...

[@drstallings_314]

Excellent video

[@travisadragna8933]

Great video. Thank you!

[@4EyeFoxbody]

Hell yeah about to start on my 1993 caprice. :) thanks thanks for the video!

[@LongologoProductions]

@Nando M: hell yeah! Anytime. Good luck.

[@detroitsfinest190]

Love the content can you continue with the DIY’s it’s really helpful thank you

[@LongologoProductions]

@Adock Mcclellan: Thanks! I plan to continue but just have to find the time….

[@richardcamacho8263]

Thank you !

[@gerardoreyes2505]

Muy buenos consejos para poder hacerlo uno mismo , gracias Gerardo los saluda desde Nuevo Laredo Tamps,

[@LongologoProductions]

@Gerardo Reyes: ¡Gracias por comentar!

[@asaadluaibi2111]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@davidaslan8935]

Hey I have 82 caprice and have done the rear based on your video but when I got to the front the shock top bolt will just spin as the middle of the shock bar is moving is there any tricks or ways to get mine off without cutting?

[@LongologoProductions]

@David Aslan: starting at 8:48 in the video, you’ll see the process for reattaching the upper nut. You have to reverse this process to get yours off if it is just spinning the shaft. (I guess I got lucky removing mine that the shaft didn’t spin.) The shop manual does indicate that there is a special wrench for this, but as you can see in the video I was able to make this work with an offset wrench attachment. You’ll need to attach an offset wrench to the nut and then grip the square part at the top of the bolt with a pair of vise grips or something to hold the shaft in place while you loosen the nut. It’s an awkward and tight space to be working. But the good news is that you don’t have to worry about messing it up since you’ll be taking out the old shock anyway. Also, put some liquid wrench or WD40 on the nut and threads first and let it penetrate for awhile to help make it easier to remove the nut. I hope this helps and good luck!

[@davidaslan8935]

@@LongologoProductions thank you for your advice I'm just a young mind trying to learn lol God Bless

[@DominiAeternum]

Same happened to me. I've never seen an offset wrench, didn't know what it is before this video. Otherwise seems like a straightforward easy job surprisingly.

[@EXIT512kutRome]

I want to change my front springs on my 1979 Buick lesabre. What springs should I get to lift it??

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jerome Wells: I suggest searching on rockauto.com for the appropriate springs to fit your specific year/make/model.

[@johnwilliams4326]

How do you remove the nut if the hole shaft is spinning

[@LongologoProductions]

@John Williams: starting at 8:48 in the video, you’ll see the process for reattaching the upper nut. You have to reverse this process to get yours off if it is just spinning the shaft. (I guess I got lucky removing mine that the shaft didn’t spin.) The shop manual does indicate that there is a special wrench for this, but as you can see in the video I was able to make this work with an offset wrench attachment. You’ll need to attach an offset wrench to the nut and then grip the square part at the top of the bolt with a pair of vise grips or something to hold the shaft in place while you loosen the nut. It’s an awkward and tight space to be working. But the good news is that you don’t have to worry about messing it up since you’ll be taking out the old shock anyway. Also, put some liquid wrench or WD40 on the nut and threads first and let it penetrate for awhile to help make it easier to remove the nut. I hope this helps and good luck!

[@onetimezx1237]

Wheres the fuel filter located on this year of this caprice

[@LongologoProductions]

@Onetime: Up on top of the engine block near the carburetor.

[@chenaniahmay4541]

I'm trying to do the front shocks on my 85 Lesabre. But the top nut just spins and won't screw off.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Chenaniah May: It sounds like the nut is just stuck on the central shaft and you’re just spinning the central shaft along with the nut. See starting at 9:04 in the video, when I’m describing putting the nut back on and the need to be able to simultaneously hold the central shaft in place while attaching the nut. In the video I happened to be lucky that this didn’t happen when I was removing the top nut for the old shocks. Hope that helps.

[@quincentpatton9842]

This video don’t show anything, you keep saying go to 8:48 but that isn’t showing how to get the nut off if the whole shaft is spinning

[@LongologoProductions]

@Quincent Patton: You need to watch from 8:48 through 11:05. I explained what do to in the context of tightening the nut but the same thing applies if the whole shaft is spinning while you are trying to remove the nut. Specifically, note where I show using the vice grip and the offset wrench.

[@Beaux_Dillz]

House Vance

[@DominiAeternum]

Tougher than it looks. Tried just loosening that top nut and it still spun the center shaft.

[@LongologoProductions]

@Max Ax: It’s always tougher than it looks-this video would be 6 hours long if I didn’t edit it down! 🤣 Loosening that top nut will require 2 points of contact: the offset wrench on the nut and vise grips on the square end of the bolt/shaft itself to hold it in place while you try to loosen the nut. Also, put some liquid wrench on the threads/nut and let it penetrate for 15 minutes or so.

[@playboiijackson6998]

Mines doing it now

[@garyknight455]

Where's the ones that you have trouble with that's what I'm talking about

[@edgarherrera5085]

Great video. May I ask why or what was the reason to change them. I'm wondering if this could be the cause of my 78 Coupe leaning down on one side. I've had it looked over and nothing is out of the ordinary. But never thought of the shock being the possible cause. 🤔

[@LongologoProductions]

@Edgar Herrara: Thanks! I replaced them because they were 10 years old and I noticed that the car was REALLY bouncy going over routine undulations in the road-it was like the car never settled down after a bump. See also in my other video on the rear shocks (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ-7aJqPmZeDiNU) at about 7 min in. The car leaning down on one side may not be the shocks-there could be something else going on with the springs or the control arms?

[@edgarherrera5085]

@Longologo Productions thanks for the reply. I had it looked over by a mechanic and car was raised on a lift and nothing was out of place or loose. Control arms were fine, springs were seated properly where they go within the A arm. Frame is fine as well. No signs of previous accident or body work up front. All panels are evenly gapped. Tires are new and all correct size and properly inflated. So I could start here at shocks and see if maybe that'll correct it. If not, then I'll move on the springs.

[@edgarherrera5085]

​@LongologoProductions hey there. After a year of debating, I finally ordered a set of front and rear shocks for my 78 Cadillac Coupe. They're also Mknroe brand and your video will come in handy when the time comes to replace them. Hopefully this resolves my leaning issue. Lol. How's the ride been since after the install....

[@LongologoProductions]

@edgarherrera5085 : no problems and the shocks are still performing great. Be careful taking off the upper nuts on the front shocks - see the comments for that video - the shaft may just keep spinning if you don’t have the specific tool or can’t clamp the old shaft. Otherwise just take your time and it should be ok. My to-do list for other repairs (and hopefully more videos) is growing but I just haven’t had time to get to them yet. At the top of the list is to replace the carburetor - do you have a good source for carbs?

[@edgarherrera5085]

@LongologoProductions hey there. Yeah I'm aware of the shaft still rotating after the nut is being tighten. Today i checked to see if I can fit a ratchet wrench in there (from top) and it fits. So I may not need to buy those crow foot wrenches. Good to hear shocks are still doing its thing. Regarding the carburetor, I knew of a place but it's been years ago. I sent in my carb off of my other Cadillac (80 Coupe) and they sent me back a replacement which was identical to one I had. Didn't have to do any adjustments when I installed it. Just plugged and connected all the fitting, hoses and car fired right up and ran smoothly. Sorry I wasn't much of a help here.

[@Hidden-comment164]

What book are you looking at

[@LongologoProductions]

@SilencedViewer: Besides the shop manual, I was looking at a copy of a 1981 book from Reader's Digest, titled "Complete Car Car Manual." You can see one on Amazon by searching for ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0895770881. It's a great general resource for cars of all makes from this era, and it's something my father picked up many years ago. Before starting this project, I started with the shop manual as I always do, but I wasn't happy with the diagrams and explanation. However, I found the explanation and diagrams in the Manual book to be much more informative and helpful.

[@DominiAeternum]

@@LongologoProductions Are there later ones form the late 80's that show the newer models and technology in these?

[@LongologoProductions]

@@DominiAeternum : I think there’s a shop manual out there for each new production year of the vehicle.