rear upper shock mount access

**sunsetLS1Z28** · 12-15-2010, 06:14 PM

2002 Z hatchback
R&Ring rear shocks.
The bottom is easy enough -DUH
But the upper mount access....................
I heard someone say cut the carpet.
I just can't cut on Suzzy.
(I don't want to cut the carpet).
how do you remove the rear seat speaker trim panels so the carpet can come up easilly?
I don't want to bust up any plastic.
Hints - photos
please help.

**az gt eater** · 12-15-2010, 07:28 PM

just remove the rear trunk panels and peel the carpet forward.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 12-15-2010, 08:40 PM

I don't have any pictures, but there is no need to cut carpet or tear anything up. Just take your time and remove the plastic pieces and pull the carpet back. There will be a foam pad in each hole where the shock bolt comes through. Once you get there, you will realize how easy it is.

**sunsetLS1Z28** · 12-16-2010, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by az gt eater

just remove the rear trunk panels and peel the carpet forward.

Thanks for the encouragement.
I just carefully folded it around a little then peeled it back like you said.
Got the shocks R&Red.
Edelbrock 34031s
Install was easy.
But I still have my clunk sound over bumps from right rear.
Bearing? If I grab the rear right tire and shake (rather violently) I have a clunck. Any ideas? The shocks are much better than what was on there.

**sunsetLS1Z28** · 12-16-2010, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

I don't have any pictures, but there is no need to cut carpet or tear anything up. Just take your time and remove the plastic pieces and pull the carpet back. There will be a foam pad in each hole where the shock bolt comes through. Once you get there, you will realize how easy it is.

Got it, Shock R&R went well.
Still have clunk sound from right rear.
maybe a bearing?
Ideas?

**JRENIGAR** · 12-18-2010, 09:31 AM

tighten control arm bolts at body mount location. Its rather intresting that the factory bolt holes on the arms are 1/2in and the body bolt holes and the bolts are like 10.9mm. I fixed this problem by drilling the body mount holes to 1/2in and getting matching bolts so now I dont have to tighten the control arm bolts to hell and back to keep the clunking noise away. Just a thought....

**az gt eater** · 12-18-2010, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by JRENIGAR

tighten control arm bolts at body mount location. Its rather intresting that the factory bolt holes on the arms are 1/2in and the body bolt holes and the bolts are like 10.9mm. I fixed this problem by drilling the body mount holes to 1/2in and getting matching bolts so now I dont have to tighten the control arm bolts to hell and back to keep the clunking noise away. Just a thought....

Very interesting thought.