Knack of removing Rear Damper Assembly

[leerandle]

So, I am in the process of swapping out my rear discs, pads, wear sensors and dampers.

Everything is now off the car except the damper assemblies as I struggled to 'wiggle' them out of position (All bolts, nuts, ABS sensor, fuel filer pipe and wiring removed in accordance with workshop manual).

Is there a knack to this ? I just ended up getting them stuck and not being able to manoeuvre them out from underneath the rear arch.

Do you need to compress the springs in order to remove them ? (Not stated in the workshop manual)

It was about 9 o'clock last night by the time I tried taking them off the car, so hoping I didn't just miss anything obvious.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Car mad enthusiast]

What model car you referring to???

leerandle said:

So, I am in the process of swapping out my rear discs, pads, wear sensors and dampers.

Everything is now off the car except the damper assemblies as I struggled to 'wiggle' them out of position (All bolts, nuts, ABS sensor, fuel filer pipe and wiring removed in accordance with workshop manual).

Is there a knack to this ? I just ended up getting them stuck and not being able to manoeuvre them out from underneath the rear arch.

Do you need to compress the springs in order to remove them ? (Not stated in the workshop manual)

It was about 9 o'clock last night by the time I tried taking them off the car, so hoping I didn't just miss anything obvious.

Any help would be appreciated.

[leerandle]

Apologies, its on 2006 Vantage.

[Car mad enthusiast]

Ive just replaced all my dampers/shocks on my 7 and I had to slightly compress the fronts to get them out and clear of the arch area's and associated suspension. I used some brute force with my hands ( Gloves on ) and managaed it in the end.

The new dampers had cable ties fitted so once they were back in position I just cut the tie and they rose to the occasion and slid into the hole which was nice and lubricated. LOL

leerandle said:

Apologies, its on 2006 Vantage.

[leerandle]

Thanks, I think I will need to persuade it out of position. I'm going to get some spring compressors to reduce overall height, should be enough to get them out.

[Car mad enthusiast]

That could be a good idea but please be careful.

Cheers

leerandle said:

Thanks, I think I will need to persuade it out of position. I'm going to get some spring compressors to reduce overall height, should be enough to get them out.

[Mansfield]

Hi Lee,

not sure if this is any help but in case youve missed anything here is a link to another forum with the workshop manual describing the removal of the damper assemblies:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/30...

[leerandle]

I have the complete workshop manual and followed it completely. What it seems to not tell you, is when you have removed all the bolts, nuts, ABS sensors, fuel pipe etc, you cannot simply remove the damper assembly as its too big to manoeuvre out from underneath the wheel arch.

I might be missing a trick somewhere, but I believe I will have to compress the spring enough to manoeuvre the lower end from the toe arm and get out.

I can move physically move the toe arm down a bit, but its very difficult applying enough force to move it out the way at the same time as taking the damper assembly out.

I think I need to be an octopus or maybe mr tickle..........

[Car mad enthusiast]

Try a scissor jack if you have one to gently lever it apart.

leerandle said:

I have the complete workshop manual and followed it completely. What it seems to not tell you, is when you have removed all the bolts, nuts, ABS sensors, fuel pipe etc, you cannot simply remove the damper assembly as its too big to manoeuvre out from underneath the wheel arch.

I might be missing a trick somewhere, but I believe I will have to compress the spring enough to manoeuvre the lower end from the toe arm and get out.

I can move physically move the toe arm down a bit, but its very difficult applying enough force to move it out the way at the same time as taking the damper assembly out.

I think I need to be an octopus or maybe mr tickle..........

[leerandle]

Got them out this evening , with a bit of moving the toe arm out the way and moving the hub downwards, you can then twist and turn the damper assembly from underneath the wheel arch. Always helps when you've got a bit of natural light, rather than working at night with a couple of lights.

[Car mad enthusiast]

Good job. At least you know now. Its all trial and error with safety in mind all the time.

leerandle said:

Got them out this evening , with a bit of moving the toe arm out the way and moving the hub downwards, you can then twist and turn the damper assembly from underneath the wheel arch. Always helps when you've got a bit of natural light, rather than working at night with a couple of lights.