Advice please, about to change shock absorbers

[G20RG B]

I've just ordered a set of Gaz Gold shocks and springs as my current one's are past there best.

I plan to fit them next week, any advice before I start the job would be very welcome.

George

[Gazzab]

You got a spring compressor? Dont you need one?
You got new bolts and bushes at the ready? Plenty of wd40, torque wrench...

[Silvervanman]

Hi George,
i also got a new set of gaz golds and springs for mine last year. Relatively easy to replace, i didnt need a spring compressor to do mine but did have to invest in a 4" grinder to get the 2 fronts off !
Are you going to get yours set up afterwards by a specialist ? I, excuse the crudeness, just measured the distance from tyre to wheelarch and adjusted accordingly and set shockers to mid position. Car feels great and handles alot better than before although the springs give a hard ride compared to the avos i took off. Had her round knockhill on a few occasions and couldnt have asked her to handle any better.
What spring rating did you order, i think i got 400 lbs upfront and 350 lbs at back ? Just have to to make sure my tongues sticking out or finger up my nose when i hit a pothole !!!!
Where you at anyway, would be good to get out for a blast with another cerb.
SVM

[WIL35]

I found I couldn't manoeuvre the front ones out until I had undone both shock absorbers. Undoing both of them allowed the lower wishbones to drop a bit further, because of the ARB connection. I then had enough clearance.

[tvrgit]

WIL35 said:

I found I couldn't manoeuvre the front ones out until I had undone both shock absorbers. Undoing both of them allowed the lower wishbones to drop a bit further, because of the ARB connection. I then had enough clearance.

Yep, or you could disconnect one end of the ARB so that the wishbones can move independently. But you're right, you do need to be able to pull the wishbones down to get the shocker out.

[G20RG B]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies

I do intend to get it set up by a specialist once I have them fitted.
Ok say I loosen the front droplinks to allow removal of the front shocks might also be good time to replace droplinks with Steve Heath upgade links (already done rears). So I smother the bolts in WD40 the day before and standby with big hammer some plasters and keep women and children well away as the air could turn blue quiet easilly.
I'm looking to try and get a few jobs done as I think the handling is a bit hard,stiff, uneven if you know what I mean .The Gaz Golds will hopefully be the first step towards a better handling Cerb.

I'm not at all skilled with the spanners but I would like to give it a go as I'm keen to learn and Bond with the car. It should also save me a few quid but if I fk it up the I'll get it to a garage but think i'll give it a go first.

Silvervanman, I am in Falkirk and have ordered the same springs as you have.
Haven't used the Cerb that much since I bought it last Sept but looking to use it quiet a bit this year though. Ive put my name down for Chatsworth so I'm working towards that date to try and get it all ready including a service somewhere

George

Edited by G20RG B on Thursday 4th March 14:48

[ajp70]

You may find the top and bottom fixing points for the new shocks to be a bit tight where the metal has been pinched in from the bolts previously being tightened. You could use a short bar or drift and a hammer to widen the gap a little to allow the new shocks to fit between the gap ( refit lower wishbone, without shock, so it will hold steady). I was unable to widen the gap enough to get one of them in so I filed just a little off the metal inserts/bushes.

A smaller diameter bolt is good for knocking the mounting bolts through/out. Remember where they came from and keep the washers/spacers with each bolt. Copper grease the bolts going back in so they won't be such a b'stard next time.

Sorry if any of this sounds a little condecending. I'm no mechanic but I did replace mine last year myself for the same "getting involved with the car experience". Then take it to the pros to set it up.

I expect there are some other tips someone else can suggest. Good luck.

[G20RG B]

Thanks ajp 70,
Good advice.

[JensenA]

You may find a long bar is useful to force the lower wishbones down just enough to get the shocks out and back in. Fitting shocks isn't a rocket science job, just (like everything on the Cerb) a bit fiddly and never as straight forward as you think it will be. Owning a Cerb soon turns you into a pretty competent mechanic

[Tanguero]

Don't take both sides apart at once - that way you have the unmolested side to refer to when you cant remeber what order the washers/spacers go back in

[tvrgit]

And I wouldn't use WD40 - use a proper penetrating oil like Plus Gas*


* other eye-blistering foul-tasting, difficult to aim penetrating sprays are also available

[G20RG B]

I've got some of the La co rustbuster stuff,

I haven't used it yet so I'll be trying it next week.. plan to soak the bolts 48hrs before I start, the less time I spend fighting bolts the better!!

[Cooky]

G20RG B said:

any advice before I start the job would be very welcome.

George

Send 'em back and get Ohlins

[gbtvr]

George,

Give me a shout if yuo need a hand.

Grant.

[G20RG B]

just started tonight got the front offside fitted pretty straightforwd with no real issues, started on the front nearside, removed all the bolts but the bottom one is proven to be a st, I,ve removed the bolt but the threaded bar that holds the bottom coilover in place will not budge. I,ve soaked it in penetrating oil and I'll give it another go sat/sun..

Gave it a few thumps with a big hammer but as it's on axle stands I'm not getting a real good whack at it..

Grant i'll give it a go tomorrow and see how I go, thanks for the offer..

If I cant get it out feel free to pop up Sunday!!