Replacing front shock bushes, DIY and how?

Tonight I was under my Disco 1 (a position I am becoming familiar with ) and noticed one of the front shock lower bushes is disintegrating.

Q1: Can this be replaced by simply undoing the big nylock nut on the bottom of the shock? Do I need any special tools?

Q2: Most importanly, should I drive it before it is replaced?

1) yes (Torque wrench)
2) yes

Thanks.

I think I'll replace both fronts while I am at it.

ozlandy said:

Q1: Can this be replaced by simply undoing the big nylock nut on the bottom of the shock? Do I need any special tools?

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Other than the torque wrench, you may find you need a turret ring and some way of compressing the coil spring and/or method of lifting the chassis off said spring & turret ring.

Q2: Most importanly, should I drive it before it is replaced?

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Official answer is no, worn dampers can have negative effects on braking.

Answers Q1. Yes after removing the shock asorbers lower mounting nut with out shearing it off the stud (it's a ring spanner, you won't get a torque wrench and socket in) and then remove the outer bush, and by pushing the lower mounting up into the spring so you can remove the inner bush (fiddly), or you can remove the four nuts around the turret again without stripping or shearing the nuts and remove it with the damper still attached to get to the inner bush,

As mentioned best to do top and bottom and possable both sides.

Q2 Depends how far it's gone, but when it finally go's you will get a knock.

If your bushes are in the condition you describe the chances are the shock absorbers are past their best.
In my opinion it would be better to change the shocks while you are at it, they don't cost a lot and there's not that much more work in replacing them. In fact it might be easier given possible corrosion of nuts etc.

Thanks all. I have ordered the bushes for the front, and will tackle this next week.

Dont firget the top ones may not be too good either.