Shocks Shaft Up or Shaft Down??

[eabrillon1978]

Had an issue with one of my shocks and had to send them out to be repaired.


I'm running a set of Penske 7500 series shocks in the car. These were mounted with the shaft pointing down in the fronts and shaft pointing up in the rears.

I was looking at some pics of these installed on everyone elses car and most of them are mounted with the shaft up in the front and backs.

I have the fronts out of the car and before I reinstall them wanted to ask the question. Does it matter which direction they are installed and does it affect the handling characteristics?

They fit either way, but makes changing the rebound easier or difficult depending on which way they are facing.

Any help appreciated.


This is the how they were installed...

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This is how I've seen others

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[Jack B]

In a perfect world you want the shock body mounted to the frame, but, as you indicate it creates some adjustment issues. Either way works, but, you reduce the sprung weight on the suspension when mounted as indicated.

 

[MTGTS]

Installed mine like the 2nd pic

 

[Green Viper]

Since it is a pressurized cylinder (and more than likely valved the same for both directions of travel for the fluid that is contained) the adjustability is probably more important than the very minor difference in where the body of the shock is located. Normally you want to keep mass as close to the center of the vehicle and away from the suspension and rotating mass but given the difference here is going to be less than a pound, it is neglible and go with what makes it easiest to adjust.

 

[eabrillon1978]

Thanks for the replies. I talked to the Penske tech, they told me pretty much the same. For this particular brand of shock and valving that's in it. The direction can face up or down, but either makes adjustments difficult or easy based on position.