Section : Suspension

Suspension and steering.

Replacing shocks

Posted By : David Langdon, 29-Mar-2004, 11:08am

Hi

I need to replace the rear shocks on my late model MkIII. I've checked the trusty Haynes manual & it basically says, jack the car up, take out the old shocks & put in the new! Now my limited experience tells me that nothing is ever that simple when working on a GT6!

Could someone let me know what pitfalls I'm likely to come across? Should I replace the front shocks at the same time? Any recommendations for the make & source of the replacements? & what else am I likely to need apart from the units themselves?

Thanks for your help

David

Followups :

Replacing shocks

Posted By : Colin Lindsay, 10-Apr-2004, 08:49pm

Yes it is that simple!! I've replaced them many times on cars and never had any trouble at all. Remember - the greasier the easier - so use plenty of copper grease on the bolts. I always seem to go back to Spax adjustables, they look good and never give any bother. Put the car on stands, remove the old ones, bolt the new one into the chassis mounting then remember to pull it all the way out - as far as it will extend to get the oil into both chambers - before attaching it to the back of the vertical. Simple and an hours work at most. Unless your bolts are badly seized or the nyloc nuts very badly worn you should get away with reusing the old ones; I usually replace all the nylocs as a matter of course for safety's sake.
- Replacing shocks
  
  Posted By : Robert, C.G. Davis, 14-Apr-2004, 06:00pm
  
  If you do the front shocks you will need a spring compressor to get them out from inside the spring. TSSC do an excellent example of the breed. If you live anywhere near Watford borrow mine.
  
  You will probably also need to release the anti-roll bar to get the front spring units out.
  
  I fitted Koni adjustables all round. Not cheap but very effective. Only problem with the Koni's is that you have to take them off to adjust them but this is not something that you need to change very often.
  
  Mine are set half way between min and max stiffness and that is plenty stiff enough! Broke the rusty mounting for the rear shock off the body of my MkII but should not be a problem on the Mk III as the mounting is better.
  - Replacing shocks
    
    Posted By : David Langdon, 15-Apr-2004, 10:53am
    
    Thanks for the advice, replaced one over the weekend (took a bit longer than an hour!! grr) Will have a bash at the other one this weekend. I've used the adjustable Spax, Moss have a sale on at the moment so they were under &163;100 for the pair.
    
    David
    - Replacing shocks
      
      Posted By : Graham Reeks, 15-Apr-2004, 11:42am
      
      Shouldn't worry David, it took me a fair while the first time I did it - especially when the bolts were all nicely seized - but then I am somewhat technically challenged