[28chevyguy]

So I bought a rear frame crossmemeber for my 57 chevy  ( original shocks went to cargo floor ) This way my upper shock mounts are too the frame.   I bolted on these Monroe air shocks MA700 but im getting 3/4" adjustment max... something seems wrong.

The cross member tips the shocks inward id say around 45 degress (not at the shop right now but its angled pretty good)

Is my problem because air shocks need to be straight up and down??   Im going to remove one from the mount and see how high it goes without being hooked up to anything... unless that is a bad idea?   

Read some bad reviews about the monroes, everyone is saying the Gabriel Hijackers are much better … my buddy just put them on his Colorado and he litereally raised the back end about a foot !!!!  Im struggling to get 3/4" inch !!

[sammons]

I think 45° is max on even just a shock. The angle being on the extreme end and inward... they maybe fighting each other causing little lift? Somewhere I read @ 45° your shock is only working at 50%.  I've used many Monroe air shocks thru the years, never had a problem. Some Gabriels also, thought Monroe was a bit better ride. But I haven't bought a pair on probably 15yrs now. Nothing new seems to be as good as years back anymore.

On airing up off car...becarefull not to put much pressure in as it may over extend  and possible seal damage. They shoot up quick with no load.

[28chevyguy]

thank you sammons .     I had that initial thought … tipped inward too much causing binding ?  I guess If they pump up with no load that would confirm that for the most part .

[Rattiac]

Mine have a ton of travel. 
Any pics ?

[28chevyguy]

Rattiac you have Monroe MA700?   I cant get more than an inch lift out of them .

[Rattiac]

MA789.
 They were for a 1980 Malibu.

[FRANKTHECRANK]

I have used Monroe air shocks often and never had a problem. I definitely think your problem is the angle of the shocks. There's no where for the shocks to expand.

Straight up and down of course, you get the most and equal amount of travel out of your shocks, but angled toward each other even a bit, you then only have travel until they both start trying to bend the mount surface inward. Of course, your mounting crossmember is too strong to bend so,..the shock stops moving upward.