Got a broken shock on the front of my 70 cutlass convertible - there is NO WAY that shock is coming out of the bottom through the control arm - how do I get it out?

 

why will it not come out the bottom. if it will not come out the bottom, you will have to remove the springs.

 

The upper part of the shock is bigger in diameter than the hole - and there is a small spring around the shock itself.

 

Are you saying that you removed the top nut and the bottom 2 bolts and the shock is bent so bad that it can't be removed through the control arm??

Sorry, I did not post my reply in time to see your response.

I am not familiar with that shock setup.

 

you will have to pull the front apart to take them out. with the ball joint out of the spindle it would be a good time to see if it needs ball joints. with it already apart it would not be hard to put them in.

 

Sounds as if a unique aftermarket spring was installed. I think I picture it in my mind. In that case, one of the ball joints will need to be release (prolly lower), arm dropped and shock removed. If going through this trouble on both sides, might as well replace ball joints and buchings if they are in your budget...

 

A picture would help us understand. What you've described so far is unlike anything from the factory so it is some sort of unusual aftermarket or custom installation.

 

I'm assuming it is some kind of load leveler shock?

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_loadlevel.cfm

is so, Im sure you are going to have to un do the spindle at the lower ball joint to get the spring and shock out if the body of the shock is bigger than the hole.