Swapping the Upper strut Mount

I have a Freelander 1 Facelift TD4 and want to know if you can replace the upper strut mount quickly by not removing the shock/spring, just from above etc.

A few weeks ago I bought 4 new shocks and 4 new mounts and took them to my local independent garage to fit.

All was well until last week when I started to get a knock/crunch sometimes from the nearside front.

I took it back to the garage and without using tools just by rocking etc they decided that the new mount had failed but since I supplied the parts I would have to pay the labour again to fit a new one. I went away to have a think.

My mistake was to buy Britpart ****e for the front 2 mounts and genuine for the rears, that was all Rimmer Brothers had in stock at the time. I thought they would outlast my ownership not just last a few weeks.

Rimmers as a goodwill gesture refunded me for the mount even though it was still on the vehicle and I have now bought a pair of genuine LRs ones.

I have looked at the mount and wonder if I can just undo the centre nut, push the shock down and remove the mount from above to save me paying the garage to do it.

Can this be done ?

Thanks, Karl.

The mount is part of the shock. Have a look at this video it will show you what's involved

Yes I have already watched this thank you but it doesn't answer my question.

In situ with the vehicle's weight on it, can I remove it from the top without taking the unit below it out ?

i wouldnt.

Has anyone tried it ?

no, for the reasons quoted above.... it is part of the strut and held under tension.

Wouldn't a spring compression clamp do the job ?

No it's far to dangerous.
You can use a spring compressor to take the weight off the top mount. This will allow the top nut to be removed safely.

Looks like a bad idea all round really.

Oh well, back to the garage then.

Rocky Ward said:

Yes I have already watched this thank you but it doesn't answer my question.

In situ with the vehicle's weight on it, can I remove it from the top without taking the unit below it out ?

Click to expand...

No as the spring would explode in your face and make you look like the Elephant man

Madmustang said:

The mount is part of the shock. Have a look at this video it will show you what's involved

Click to expand...

Just over 15 minutes to change one side? I'd say it'll be 15 minutes to remove the first rusty, seized-up bolt when I start doing mine (once the rain stops)....