new shocks being a pain in the ass to put on

saxmanuk · Feb 11, 2011

Hello all..Top tip required please

I have nearly finished replacing all my springs and shocks and have done the front ones ok...however I am stuck on the rear ones....The front ones nearly had me as well!
The issue is that the new shocks have new bushes and new washers.. when I try to tighten the bottom nut it is barely able to hit the thread on the shock..the front ones I just managed to do, but the rear ones are impossible without some type of compression tool...Is this what I need? any top tips please
Thanks in advance

saxmanuk · Feb 11, 2011

Also
When I removed the top cover, above the front shock near the air filter, I noticed that the air filter hose had tears and holes in it..would this cause a adverse problem to the engine power or general running?
ta

jamesmartin · Feb 11, 2011

depends on what shocks you buy some dont give enough thread ,try jacking axle up to compress topside bush.speed brace with socket packed to leave shocker nut flush is the way i do it ,air hose if on suction side wont hinder engine unless collapsing and restricting air, but obviously negating filters jod

saxmanuk · Feb 11, 2011

jamesmartin said:
depends on what shocks you buy some dont give enough thread ,try jacking axle up to compress topside bush.speed brace with socket packed to leave shocker nut flush is the way i do it ,air hose if on suction side wont hinder engine unless collapsing and restricting air, but obviously negating filters jod

Thanks jamesmartin
Have tried that..not enough thread! I have just read on another forum that I could leave out one washer i.e. from the top down:
washer, bush, washer, frame, bush, washer, nut...?

jamesmartin · Feb 11, 2011

you shouldnt really as frame washers have a raised inner egde to locate in frame to stop shocker moving hole,thats a bodge

saxmanuk · Feb 11, 2011

jamesmartin said:
you shouldnt really as frame washers have a raised inner egde to locate in frame to stop shocker moving hole,thats a bodge

yes agreed
just been to the DIY shop
bought some bolts with wing nuts..I am going to make a compressor with some old steel brakets...a little like a couple of G clamps but thinner so I can get them on the top and bottom washers..then clamp them a few mill to enable me to get the bottom nut on...if that all makes sense!
cheers

wickford90 · Feb 11, 2011

saxmanuk said:
Hello all..Top tip required please
I have nearly finished replacing all my springs and shocks and have done the front ones ok...however I am stuck on the rear ones....The front ones nearly had me as well!
The issue is that the new shocks have new bushes and new washers.. when I try to tighten the bottom nut it is barely able to hit the thread on the shock..the front ones I just managed to do, but the rear ones are impossible without some type of compression tool...Is this what I need? any top tips please
Thanks in advance

Had the same problem when i done mine, as the old bottom bush's were ok and not so thick i used them instead of the ones supplied.

jamesmartin · Feb 11, 2011

what make of shock where they

Karlos28 · Feb 11, 2011

longer bolts?

paul_c · Feb 11, 2011

Karlos28 said:
longer bolts?

Someone doesn't know how shocks are fitted to Defenders!!!!

The shocks and/or bushes aren't right, if they don't show any thread and can't be fitted like this. My Terrafirma ones were the opposite - too much thread, so they would contact the axle at the front. I spotted a thread on it on here about the same issue, and cut 10mm off.

If the bushes are significantly bigger than the old ones ie not just because they're new/unworn, but they're actually bigger, then slicing a little off them could be an option. But you shouldn't need to do this, either the bushes are wrong or the shock (pins) are wrong.

Shifty1962 · Feb 11, 2011

I had to trim my Poly bushes as they were about 4mm longer than the old rubber ones on the shocks. Back ones were fine but fronts were never going to fit without trimming.

saxmanuk · Feb 12, 2011

paul_c said:
Someone doesn't know how shocks are fitted to Defenders!!!!

The shocks and/or bushes aren't right, if they don't show any thread and can't be fitted like this. My Terrafirma ones were the opposite - too much thread, so they would contact the axle at the front. I spotted a thread on it on here about the same issue, and cut 10mm off.

If the bushes are significantly bigger than the old ones ie not just because they're new/unworn, but they're actually bigger, then slicing a little off them could be an option. But you shouldn't need to do this, either the bushes are wrong or the shock (pins) are wrong.

You are right paul_c...which way around do the shocks go????

DOH LOL....This is exactly the issue..

the new bushes that came with the shocks (BTW they are BOGE standard shocks from 'Land rover parts shop.com') are slightly bigger than the ones that were on..

I want to replace the old ones because they are on are squashed and pitted in places...With the front ones I simply got some pipe pliers around the very top washer and the bottom washer and squeezed very hard to get the first thread. The rear ones are just that little bit harder...I am going to try my compression tool contraption today to see if I can do it..I will post a piccy if successful as I cant be the first to come across this problem.....Even though this is my first job on the (new to me) Landy I just love

tinkering with it....5 hours and counting to do the springs and shocks...told the wife it would take me 2 hours!....so she buggered off skiing and left me the kids to look after! as a way of telling me that the defender is not going to take over my life!

saxmanuk · Feb 12, 2011

OK
for those that might be interested, I have done the job
Last night I tightened the nuts on the shock up WITHOUT putting it on the landy. Went out this morning and bought two new Nylocs nuts from local iron monger type...took the old nuts off and hey presto the new bushes had squashed by a couple of mil...managed to get 1 thread on so could tighten up...and now sorted.

I have posted this as the one thing that I sometimes find frustrating

on this forum is that a thread can go on and on for pages and pages with tips and pointers and then just stops....without the person that started the thread un-offiically ending it with the outcome or fix and thanking all those who contributed....
so thanks all original question done and answered
Cheers

new shocks being a pain in the ass to put on

saxmanuk

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