Rear Shock question

HI all,

I have a standard disco 300tdi. About 2 months ago I changed the rear shocks for a set boge shocks. The shocks went on well and I thought all was well. I have just had the car MOT'ed and I was told the rear shocks bottom bushes are a concern and need to be checked.. I have looked at them and both bushes on both sides are very loose. The bottom nut is tightly secured... I think I may have got the washers in the wrong place....

Please please please..Can anyone supply a diagram of the correct fitting sequence...

I am off to Europe this weekend and want to sort it before I get going.. From memory the new shocks came with two washers but I am not sure it may of been three. and then two rubber bushes for the base of each shock.
I suppose the golden rule when taking something apart is write down how it comes apart... a lesson learnt.. thx for any help.

if yours has cups both sides of lower mount you just need washer above top bush and below bottom bush ,

Thx for the quick reply james. Hhhmmm well I am sure it has cups both upper and lower sides.... Here is how I fitted the shocks. does it sound right? washer at the top of the spindle/shaft then bush next to mounting cup. Shaft through both cups then rubber bush up to the underneath cup and then domed washer and then nut. this is how I am sure it came off. but two months later and both bottom bushes are excessively worn,? I am sure it is me.. lol

sounds correct ,its possible thread on shock wasnt made long enough or just poor bushes

I was sure I noted mentally the correct order, but then two months on i was doubting myself. Just had a look again underneath the old shed. The top most washer above the upper bush is loose on both sides. The shock is wobbly in the mounting but both nuts are tight.. Now what...? I have four days before I take the old girl on a European tour. Do i replace the bushes, do I add a second washer to squeeze it all back together again. Any advise would be appreciated. cheers.

take the nut off and put a couple of washers behind see if that takes slack up

as said as long as bushes are tight

Great, that sounds like a quick and cheap solution.... getting dark now. I don't have the luxury of a garage, so I will give it a go tomorrow and let you know the outcome. thx...........and if you are looking at the garage doors on my profile picture..... if I owned a smart car I could use the soddin garage. lol

Took the nuts off thx robint, the thread only went up so far then stopped on a shoulder that the washer tightened on too, hence the rubber bushes were not doing their job. Not sure why, I just added some more washers and all is now good, thx for your replies..

mdfenemer said:

Took the nuts off thx robint, the thread only went up so far then stopped on a shoulder that the washer tightened on too, hence the rubber bushes were not doing their job. Not sure why, I just added some more washers and all is now good, thx for your replies..

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i only know that because i had to do same on mine for mot

in theory thread should be exactly the right length that when nuts tight at end of thread bushes should have the correct compression,

Hi from New Zealand

I have the same issue...the threads are too long - I do have a 200 series though without cups so I use the small bushes with the fitted washer on the shock and another at the very bottom. Needs more washers as the bushes will free up in a few miles and be very sloppy.

Am I on the correct track given I have a '93 early series V8i?

Thanks

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

I just followed robint advise, found a few washers that made up the gap between the shoulder and the thread. Not sure why it fell short but the fix was cheap and easy to do.
Just come back from mainland Europe after doing about 1800 miles in two weeks. No problems what so ever, on the return journey I had five adults up, four suitcases, boot full to the top and a full thule roofbox. Just before I went I replaced springs and shocks and had a new rear crossmember fitted before the journey. Fully loaded 65 to 75 mph on the motoways and returned 28.7 on average for the whole journey. Checked the shocks yesterday when I got back and they are still as they should be.

good luck.

Mark

jamesmartin said:

if yours has cups both sides of lower mount...

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I'm sure I read somewhere that removing these cups is an option on lifted vehicles with uprated suspension to allow greater movement etc.

Have you ever heard of this mod, James?

Mark L said:

I'm sure I read somewhere that removing these cups is an option on lifted vehicles with uprated suspension to allow greater movement etc.

Have you ever heard of this mod, James?

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yep ya right mate. get rid .... glyn lewis 4x4 also says ,grind them off.

1spin said:

yep ya right mate. get rid .... glyn lewis 4x4 also says ,grind them off.

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That's all the confirmation I need.
Cheers, fella.

Mark L said:

That's all the confirmation I need.
Cheers, fella.

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Just to confirm, if you go on glyn lewis 4x4 site, click on workshop , then you will see to the right of page , a list , click on shock washers.