How to - replace a 200 TDi Defender front Shock Absorber.

you dont need to remove turret ,put jack between axle and chassis then dont need compressors ,nut runs up to shank so just tight is enough if dont have torque wrench

Cracking how to post. Just changed Scratchy's springs and shocks. Gone from fubared springs and shocks (the OSF shock wasn't even connected at the bottom end) to nice new TF shocks and Bearmach HD springs. Too shagged to test drive it tonight, but roll on the weekend for some mud fun!

great post - thanks

theshanclan said:

"and studs will be broken. Not less than one will be the number of the breakage, and no more than seven wilst thou see unbroken.."

Nostreweydamus 1564

Uncanny. Can I have your lottery numbers? Great thread, worked a treat.

Click to expand...

I had none break. Although I did have to drill / chisel / swear off the bottom nut, the one that was actually attached to someit'.

Just swapped one of mine, which was leaking like crazy. Bottom nut was a nightmare.

The other side seems ok but should I be changing that one too ?

MarkC123 said:

Just swapped one of mine, which was leaking like crazy. Bottom nut was a nightmare.

The other side seems ok but should I be changing that one too ?

Click to expand...

Yes. Shocks, brakes etc should always be done as an axle set, i.e both sides at the same time.

Wot 'ee says ^

Exelent post , many thanks .

So how long will it realistically take to replace all four springs and shocks (front and rear)? And I am not interested in how long it is supposed to take some whizz kid, I mean how long will it take the average muppet with all the problems that these jobs seem to throw up? I have to do mine but assume its a full day???

the shocke were the biggest problem on mine..

if ya got summat to stop the shock spinning when ya undo the nuts top n bottom on the front end, its a lot easier. big stilson between the spring coils is best..

but its still a day of a job...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMODpwTSWk&list=PL9D9DCA0FEC94934C

this could help.

When I changed the shock and springs on mine the top nuts on the front shocks would not come undone, I tried mole grips and a oil filter chain wrench on the body, and just ended up cutting the stud on the shock with a hacksaw.

All in the whole job took ages, maybe 4 hours just due to the stuck nuts.

The backs were quickest, as mine came apart ok. Lots of penetrating fluid and force!

Just done mine today after both brushes went on top of dampers inside the turrets and rusted turrents. So new galvanised turrents. Rings. Gas dampers. Nuts at bottom of dampers rounded. So drilled holes and splitter with chisel ride is better now