Hi 72 cutlass. I currently have air shocks that will no longer hold air. What shocks and or springs are recommended to get to get that high rearend look. Also the cover for the ashtray dosent want to stay in. But all 4 tabs on the cover are there. Did my dash spread or something?

 

The rear springs depend upon how high you want the rear of the car.


There should be a spring on either side of the ash tray door. They are made of thin metal and may have fallen out when the door was removed..

 

There is never a dumb question. If you don't know something, you learn by asking. Back in the day, I had Gabriel Hi-Jacker air shocks. Just added or released air as needed to get the desired height. Of course this did nothing to enhance road handling, but looking cool was so much more important back then. I think Monroe still makes air-adjustable shocks for these cars.

 

As Chumley mentioned, there are no dumb questions. Some of us may come up with a dumb answer on rare occasions but no dumb questions.

 

I remember throwing on the air shocks in order to get a decent size tire under the wheel wells.

 

My old Monte Carlo has air bags still in the rear coils. My granddad put them in so he could drive to Orlando to see my dad, then completely fill the trunk with loose oranges off my dad's trees. I hesitate to guess how many pieces of various citrus one could fit in a 72 A body trunk loose.

 

Most air shocks have plastic lines and fittings, air them up and check for leaks with soap bubbles.

 

El Camino rear springs are a much higher rate and will definitely raise the back end. You won't need air shocks at all. I don't know what shock is required but it will be quite longer than a standard Cutlass shock. I ordered the 70 El Camino springs. It will put extra stress on your front suspension and may require re-alignment. Good luck

 

X2. Just take an old Windex bottle, fill it with about a 50:1 mixture of water and dish soap (Dawn or other), then spray away. You might get lucky and just have a line leak. (Works good for finding air leaks in tires/valve stems too!) -Bob

 

Thanks for asking the ash tray door question!! I've got a belligerent ashtray door that falls out now and then. Now I know to look for those springs. I have air shocks on Chevelle when I run my 325/50s.... What about a taller tire? The 275/60/15s give my Cutlass a good slight rake. I also like the El Camino spring idea.

 

I went with Bilsteins and lowering springs from UMI and it rides and handles like a dream. Oh I also put on large front and ear sway bars. Good luck