changing front shocks

[krynac]

I have recently had my t25 lowered and the front shocks are to soft and looking to upgrade them to heavy duty ones to prevent rubbing on wheels arches when going over uneven ground, I think the heavy duty ones will cure this problem on the front as the rear seems fine. Is it a simple swap? do I need a spring compressor to re-fit after, the garage seemed to fit the new springs and dampers pretty swiftly and was wondering if I could do it myself? any suggestions would be welcome
thanks

[Ian Hulley]

Easy to do, especially if they've been off recently and the fasteners undone. No spring compressors needed on standard 2wd anyway.

Ian

[krynac]

thanks, how long do you think it should take, could you give me a quick run through i.e step by step.
thanks

[Ian Hulley]

From the Haynes ... 3 spanner job

With front wheels off and van supported safely on axle stands

place a jack below track control arm raise arm slightly
undo and remove top nut, lift off washer and rubber damper ring
undo and remove long bottom nut and bolt
withdraw shock downwards complete with rubber spring
Refitting is the reverse etc etc

Hour a side tops unless you drink a lot of coffee and/or pee a lot.

May I suggest you buy a Haynes ... they're £15 ish.

Ian

[el sketcho]

Really easy job, even I managed to do it

[krynac]

thanks i will be havin a go armed with a trusty haynes manual and your procedure
many thanks

[Ian Hulley]

Just changed both our socrap ... sorry cofap back shocks for uprated Sachs. Swapped springs, greased spring seats shocker mounts and flexy brake hose unions and re-assembled, re-attached rear mudflap ... coffee in hand, 1 hour 6 minutes.

About to start the fronts, but also checking and servicing the front brakes, I'll let you know how long in a bit.

Ian.

[Ian Hulley]

o/s/f shock replaced in 35 minutes
n/s/f shock replaced in 1 hour 25 minutes (the top nut locked as it came off just where I couldn't get the 6mm spanner on the rod anymore .... made it have some PAIN with a nut splitter game over )

Brakes serviced, flexy's checked, bleed nipples cracked and bled, all brake unions wirebrushed and greased, all joints and bushes (which were replaced in January) checked and everything all A ok.

Tools used ..
6mm comb. spanner (to hold the piston rods)
7mm comb. spanner (bleed nipples)
13mm comb. spanner (brake slider pins)
17mm comb. spanner (top shock mount nut and brakes)
19mm wheelbrace
19mm comb spanner (rear shock bolts)
19mm socket/ratchet (rear shock bolts)
22mm comb. spanner (bottom shocker mounts)
22mm socket/ratchet (bottom shocker mounts)
Pointed drift (to locate the bottom mounts)
3T trolley jack (to move the bottom control arm)
3T axle stand
Std vehicle jack (I leave this in as cover for the stand)
Wirebrush
WD40
Coppaslip
EP2 grease cartridge
Grease paint brush

plus nut splitter and 14mm socket etc to split the top nut

Test driven and smooooooth as I would certainly recommend the Sachs HD shocks

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6
and
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6

Ian.