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1956 Imperial Front Shocks Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | I'm looking for new front shocks for my Imperial and I'm not having much luck. Either expensive, NOS shocks or way over-priced new shocks (like in the link below). Is there anything special about these that makes them hard to find? If I re-use the bottom mounting bar, are there other shocks I could use instead? What are others using? https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/find/1956-chrysler-imperial-front-... Would these KYB4515 shocks work? https://www.kyb.com/catalog/ Edited by jboymechanic 2022-11-29 12:06 PM | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9604 Location: So. Cal | If the Imperial is the same as the Plymouth/Dodge/DeSoto/Chrysler, you can use the KYB's made for a '57 Chevy or '63-'82 Corvette. I believe it is number KYB4550. You just have to open up the slot size to use the one size larger bolts. | ||
jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | This is what I found. Nathan was close on the KYB 4550 shocks for a 1957 Chevy, his suggestion ended with me looking through KYB's catalog and I came up with KYB 4515 for a 1956 Caddy. I ordered both pairs from rockauto and removed one from my Imperial so I could compare them side by side. See the picture, the 4550 is actually too short for the Imperial while the 4515 is actually a perfect fit (other having to drill out the holes on the bottom mounting bar from 5/16 to 3/8). I did confirm that the front passenger shock was shot, it is extremely easy to compress and it doesn't rebound. Hope this solves the wheel hop I was feeling, but I won't know til spring... (1956 Imperial Front Shock Comparison half size.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1956 Imperial Front Shock Comparison half size.jpg (208KB - 65 downloads) | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9604 Location: So. Cal | Interesting. I have been using the 4550 on my '56 Savoy for many years and miles with great results. Looking it up, I see that DeSoto, Chrysler & Imperial use a different part number than the Dodge/Plymouth. So I guess they may not all use the same KYB shock either. I'll have to do a close comparison on my Plymouth when I get to them again. Thanks for the feedback. | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9855 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . I'll throw another potential option out there, KYB KG5460, intended as a replacement for a Ford Aerostar van, RWD, front shock: https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/kyb,KG5460,shock+absorber,7556 That said, the stroke length is apparently only 4.02" https://www.kyb.com/catalog/ (plug in KG5460) In any event, the slots in the end have to be opened up a bit: REFERENCE: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=69866&... Edited by 56D500boy 2022-12-12 2:17 PM | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9604 Location: So. Cal | Looks like the 5460 is even shorter, which Dave chose for his '56 Dodge. So I suspect that the DeSoto/Chrysler/Imperial shock is indeed longer than the Dodge/Plymouth shock. Here are the spec comparisons. ______________________5460_____4550 _____4515 Extended Length (IN)------13.07-------13.54-------14.57 Compressed Length (IN)----9.06--------9.25--------9.65 Stroke Length (IN)----------4.02--------4.29---------4.92 | ||
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