Front shocks

[NigelW]

I've got a message from the chap round the corner who is fitting new shocks to his S Type and is having difficulty with the top mount. He sent a couple of photos and the top mount doesn't protrude far enough get the nuts on. I'm going round there tomorrow to have a look but in the meantime any ideas?

[cass3958]

Having just done this Nigel the trick is that the shocks need pumping first about three or four times up and down. Then pull the shock to its limit and quickly before it gets a chance to retract shove it in place and get a set of small Mole grips on the top of the strut above where the thread is. You can then secure the bottom loosely to hold it in place. Once the bottom is in place you can lever up on the mole grips to get more thread to show then whip the mole grips off and get the rubber grommet, metal cap and nut on to the thread and get a couple of turns on the nut. With the nut in place you can once again get the mole grips on the top of the strut which you will need there anyway as you do up the nut with a spanner. Without the mole grips the strut will rotate and you cannot do the nut up.
I had one shock that kept retracting quicker than I could get it in position to secure it with the mole grips so it was frustrating but eventually I got it. The other side stayed up and turned out to be quite easy using this method. Sorry no pictures as it was not a job you could stop to take pictures of.

[Orlando St.R]

Is that top shank on the new one actually long enough? Can't tell with washer still in place on the old one.

And I'd check that there isn't a bush still stuck under the wishbone.

Also make sure the the bits that stick out from the top of the top bushes are properly engaged in the hole in the wishbone. This bit...

top bush.jpg (89.07 KiB) Viewed 1835 times

Otherwise, yes, +1 to what Rob said.

[NigelW]

Many thanks,guys, is quite a while since I fitted front shocks so tend to forget the tricks. I'll let you know tomorrow what happens.

[NigelW]

Problem solved. The new top rubbers are quite plump and needed easing down and pulling into position with a thin washer first then then the large thick washer can be fitted with the nyloc nut. I did one side for him and left him to have a crack at the other. The old shocks had no resistance in the mid laden position so no wonder it felt like a boat when driving, the new Gaz ones should make a world of difference. Thanks for your tips.

[Orlando St.R]

Problem solved. Thanks for your tips.

You're welcome. Glad you've solved it.