Mass damper atop the rear shocks: WTH?

[stigmatasaurus]

I'm halfway into replacing shocks and struts. Since I want to keep the original ride quality selection ability, and because NO PLACE was selling rear shocks for this car, I bought the sets another user here (Batchman) had saved, bless him. The replacement rear shocks don't have the same black, 5-inch-long tubes atop them as the originals. These things stick through the body into the trunk space, and for some reason, a heavy wire clip fastens around them, which must be removed before you can get the shock out. Well, of course it's hidden behind the trim panel, which is a damn chore to pull out of the way to get to this unnecessary clip.
Now that I have one shock in, I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to take the old 'mass dampers' off the old shocks and attach them to the new.

 

[batchman]

Wow, adding 9 pounds of Easter eggs, and that's a giant c-clip and likely not rotated to get access in the car.

I recall the Fox body cars had a 10lb slug hanging off the pinion, to quell a vibration.

And we wonder how cars get so heavy!

Good luck with the refreshed suspension, glad to be of help keeping one of these fine cars in shape. So many get no respect.

Best,
- Jeff

 

[stigmatasaurus]

Wow, adding 9 pounds of Easter eggs, and that's a giant c-clip and likely not rotated to get access in the car.

I recall the Fox body cars had a 10lb slug hanging off the pinion, to quell a vibration.

And we wonder how cars get so heavy!

Good luck with the refreshed suspension, glad to be of help keeping one of these fine cars in shape. So many get no respect.

Best,
- Jeff

The second clip WAS turned around. It took several attempts with different tools to get it off (along with getting in and out of the trunk). I'm a big fan of Naproxen right now.