Replacing rear shocks on 68 GT 350

I hope you will all allow me a stupid question.

I need to replace the rear shocks on my 60 GT 350 and if it is like the 68
GTCS Coupe that I owned years ago the top nuts for the rear shocks are
accessible beneath the rear seat. The problem is that I and am having
difficulty removing the rear seat to get to the upper shock nuts. I have
the fold down type rear seat and the upholstery is original. When I attempt
to move the rear seat at all, it doesn't seem to budge. I believe that
there are seat mounting bolts somewhere under the front of the seat but I
haven't been able to pry the seat loose enough to see. Since the seat
covers are original I'm afraid that if I try too hard I will rip or tear the
material.

Am I approaching this the right way? Any suggestions? Really appreciate
the help..

Art Mann
69 GT 350 #3422

In a message dated 6/6/06 17:51:33, acmann (AT) cox (DOT) net writes:

<< Am I approaching this the right way? Any suggestions? Really appreciate
the help.. >>

>>>I don't know exactly about the '68, but I know the '66 rear seat just
snaps into place. There are hooks welded to the floor that engage the springs on
the bottom of the seat. You push back while lifting up, and eventually the
front edge of the seat bottom pops free.

It's not often easy, though.

Mike

Art-
In addition to what has already been suggested, let me offer you a small tip that may make removing the rear seat base a little easier. If you can't get the seat base to unhook by pushing rearward and lifting up, then get a very long screwdriver (18"-24" blade) and slide it in so that you contact the heavy wire bail that is holding the seat in the hook on the rear floor. Pop the screwdriver handle with the palm of your hand and it should unhook w/o having to keep pushing directly on the seat upholstery. Good Luck!
Regards, Stan
----- Original Message -----
From: Art Mann
To: ShelbyMustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 8:51 PM
Subject: Replacing rear shocks on 68 GT 350


I hope you will all allow me a stupid question.

I need to replace the rear shocks on my 60 GT 350 and if it is like the 68 GTCS Coupe that I owned years ago the top nuts for the rear shocks are accessible beneath the rear seat. The problem is that I and am having difficulty removing the rear seat to get to the upper shock nuts. I have the fold down type rear seat and the upholstery is original. When I attempt to move the rear seat at all, it doesn't seem to budge. I believe that there are seat mounting bolts somewhere under the front of the seat but I haven't been able to pry the seat loose enough to see. Since the seat covers are original I'm afraid that if I try too hard I will rip or tear the material.

Am I approaching this the right way? Any suggestions? Really appreciate the help..

Art Mann
69 GT 350 #3422

The access to the shocks is really slightly behind the rear seats and it depends on what body style the car is as to access.

On all body styles the rear bottom cushion is pushed back the the front lip is lifted up to slip it out.

On the coupe and convertible the rear upper cushion is retained by two screws at the bottom edge. Once they are removed lift the seat from the two retaining hooks on the upper edge. On a fastback with a folddown the rear most carpeted panel is removed and the two oval access plugs can be found under it.

If the fastback/sportroof is not folddown equipped the plugs can simply be accessed tthrough the trunk.

In fact it may just be easier for some to change the shocks through the trunk no matter what body style. If I remember correctly getting past all the supports and bracing behind the rear seat might be difficult

Hope this helps more than confuses

jeff S

-----Original Message-----
>From: Art Mann <acmann (AT) cox (DOT) net>
>Sent: Jun 6, 2006 5:51 PM
>To: ShelbyMustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
>Subject: Replacing rear shocks on 68 GT 350
>
>I hope you will all allow me a stupid question.
>
>I need to replace the rear shocks on my 60 GT 350 and if it is like the 68
>GTCS Coupe that I owned years ago the top nuts for the rear shocks are
>accessible beneath the rear seat. The problem is that I and am having
>difficulty removing the rear seat to get to the upper shock nuts. I have
>the fold down type rear seat and the upholstery is original. When I attempt
>to move the rear seat at all, it doesn't seem to budge. I believe that
>there are seat mounting bolts somewhere under the front of the seat but I
>haven't been able to pry the seat loose enough to see. Since the seat
>covers are original I'm afraid that if I try too hard I will rip or tear the
>material.
>
>Am I approaching this the right way? Any suggestions? Really appreciate
>the help..
>
>Art Mann
>69 GT 350 #3422