XK Shock Absorber Removal

[Mr Ben]

Good afternoon,

I am planning to replace the slightly worn [advisory last year, MOT due shortly] rear shock absorber lower bushes on my 56 plate XK [x150] Coupe.

Work will be undertaken at friends garage with lift, press etc all available.

Was wondering if the top mounts are accessible from under the car or whether its done from within the boot, i.e trim removal etc?

Have searched all over the web but cant seem to find an answer.. Guess I'll find out when the work is done just after a heads up?

Thanks

[8bit]

You need to access the top of the rear shocks from inside the boot, according to the workshop manual. The trims to the left and right of the boot just pull away inwards, remove the vent cover panels that you open to access the rear light clusters and pull. You should see the tops of the shocks, held in with four bolts which need to be undone and, if present, the electrical connector for the CATS active suspension system. Then unbolt the bottom of the shock absorber from whatever it's connected to (can't remember and can't tell from the picture, possibly a wishbone, then remove the assembly from the car.

You probably won't need to remove the spring from the shock but if you do, use a spring compressor and undo the nut at the top.

Assembly is the reverse of removal, as they say. The nut holding the spring and shock together should be tightened to 27Nm/20lb.ft for a car without CATS or 50Nm/37lb.ft for one with. The topmount nuts are 27Nm/20lb.ft and the big bolt at the bottom is 133Nm/98lb.ft.

[Mr Ben]

Clear and concise.

If only my colleagues would reply to mails in the same fashion!

Sincere thanks.

[8bit]

Two adjectives I don't often hear used to describe me but glad to be of service

If you like then PM me an email address, I'll fire you over the relevant pages of the workshop manual.

[Mr Ben]

Thanks.. PM sent.

[8bit]

Hmm, nothing come through, I've sent you one in case that works!