Shock Guide - From The Track To The Trail

This upper coilover mount is both simple and effective. The tabs are below the tube instead of on the side. This means that the shock will only put compression and tension forces on the mounting tabs. Mounting the tabs on the side of the tube puts tearing forces into the wall of the tube: The shock tabs will try to tear off of the tube. Also note that coilover mounts must be substantially stronger than mounts for shocks that are used with leaf springs. A coilover has two functions: to support the weight of the vehicle and to control the suspension's movement. A shock used with a leaf spring does not have to support vehicle weight.

Building shock mounts for custom applications can be as simple or as elaborate as your imagination and fabrication skills allow. To simplify the process, stamped mounting tabs are available in several configurations. Premade tabs are a great time-saver.

Problem: The parking-brake cable was going to hit the shock body if this mounting bracket was welded directly to the axle.

Solution: Two pieces of flat plate were spliced into the mount, spacing the shock body clear of the parking-brake cable.

Shocks must clear nearby vehicle components. This includes suspension members, such as the leaf springs, and exhaust tubing. Since shocks fade when they get hot, it makes sense to keep the shock body as far away from external heat sources as possible.

When possible, shock tabs should be oriented so that the bearing or bushing in the shock eye rotates in line with the suspension member.