Front and Rear Shocks.

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

BadgerBoy18

New Member
Posts
9
Location
Bexhill
Firstly apologies for asking as I am sure there is loads on here but the search function will not work for me.
Could someone please point me in the direction of any sections on instructions for changing front and rear shocks on a 2008 Defender 90. If there is any that is.
I know that obviously they are not the best handling on Road but looking to just make the ride a little better if possible.
I am thinking of fitting a Bilstein B6 damper kit which is front and rear shocks and a steering damper.
Cheers
 
Changing springs and shocks is fairly straight forward. The rears are easier than the fronts. And for at least a week before you will need to soak all the nuts in penetrating fluid

REAR:
Can be done with wheel in place but easier with the wheel removed.

Shock removal:
Undo bottom nut.
Undo top nut.
Remove shock
Refitting is the reverse
You may be lucky but In reality that will involve the bottom shock nut being seized and probably needing to cut the shock off. I would recommend a set of chain vice grips to grip the shock while you try and undo the nut.

Spring removal:
Undo the two bolts at the bottom enter of the spring holding the spring retaining plate in place
Jack up vehicle as high as you can and place an axle stand under the chassis
Lower the axle as far as you can
There should then be enough clearance to just remove the spring. If there is not you will need some spring compressors to make is shorter so it will come out.
Refitting is just the reverse.
 
FRONTS:
You will NEED replacement turret rings as they will shear when you remove them. It is also a lot easier with new shock turrets as well as it is very difficult to remove to old shock from the old turret is the nut has seized.

Shock removal
Undo the bottom nut
Remove the plastic cover in the inner arch at the top of the shock.
Undo the 4nuts around the top of the spring which hold the turret on. (These are the turret ring studs which WILL shear)
Remove the whole turret including the shock.
Undo top shock nut (realise it won’t come I done and replace the turret as well)
Refitting is the reverse.

Spring removal:
The shock needs to have been removed before the spring can be removed.
Jack up vehicle as high as you can and place an axle stand under the chassis
Lower the axle as far as you can
There should then be enough clearance to just remove the spring. If there is not you will need some spring compressors to make is shorter so it will come out.
Refitting is the reverse.
 
Fit the Terrafirma 4-way adjustable dampers they only cost £60 each and you can set them for a better ride quality or harder for fast road use.
I set mine to the softest of the four positions and it makes quite a difference (springs are standard LR)
 
Back
Top