Replacing Shocks

[mooranger]

I found a how to replace springs & shocks on this site not long ago, but can't find it now. It came with pics etc - anyone point me in the right direction. How big a job is it to replace the front shocks? Any specialist tools needed (spring compressors?)

Thanks

[Brettster]

Ive just changed my shocks

I had a huge amount of trouble trying to get the rear ones off on my 99 se

the fronts were very easy

undo the bolt at the bottom, the one on the damper holding the pipe and the 3 at the top. turning the wheel helped alot too to remove it

with the rears I had to remove all the bolts and also the anti roll bar bolt too

and stood on the rear hub to get enough access to remove the shock unit.

you dont need spring compressors unless your intending to change the actual springs

Excelent spring replacing guide here

[mooranger]

Thanks for that Brettster. So I don't need to undo or loosen the centre nut at the top? Does the spring come out with the damper?

[ColinBarber]

They will all come out as one unit. No need to undo the centre nut if you are not removing the springs from the shocks.

[mooranger]

But if I'm replacing the shocks I assume I need to remove the spring? Or am I being a bit thick!

Thanks

[Brettster]

What are you going to change?

the IS shocks are all one unit with the coil fitted to the damper. if your changing the original ones to coilovers then all you need to do is remove a few bolts.

if your intending to change the stock springs and put lowering springs on then you'll need the coil compressors and to undo the nut at the top as in the guide.

[mooranger]

Managed to replace the fronts with little difficulty - couldn't get the new ones in at first, but then disconnected the anti-roll bar which allows the hub to drop much further and they went in easy. Of course the nuts connecting the roll bar were rusted to :tsktsk: so lots of WD and swearing! No more knocking now anyway - the old offside shock seems to have an air lock in, by the sound of it when compressing off the car. Also, it returns to full extension from compressed at half the speed of the new ones, so reckon it was nakkad!