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1956 Imperial Front Shocks
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jboymechanic
Posted 2022-11-29 12:00 PM (#625945)
Subject: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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
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Powerflite
Posted 2022-11-29 12:21 PM (#625949 - in reply to #625945)
Subject: Re: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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.
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jboymechanic
Posted 2022-12-12 11:01 AM (#626306 - in reply to #625949)
Subject: Re: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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
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Attachments 1956 Imperial Front Shock Comparison half size.jpg (208KB - 65 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2022-12-12 11:34 AM (#626308 - in reply to #625945)
Subject: Re: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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.
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56D500boy
Posted 2022-12-12 1:25 PM (#626313 - in reply to #626306)
Subject: Re: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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
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Powerflite
Posted 2022-12-12 2:12 PM (#626314 - in reply to #625945)
Subject: Re: 1956 Imperial Front Shocks



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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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