Replacing rear discs/shocks

[matt 74]

Does anyone out there know which model Sierra/Granada the rear discs on my 4.0l HC Chimaera are sourced from? The width appears to be 280mm.
Also.... i've got some rear shocks on order, how much of a job is it to remove springs from the old shocks, had a glancing look on the car and couldn't make out how they are parted, does all come clear when shock is taken off?

[thegamekeeper]

Matt escort cosworth rear discs. Give me a ring tomorrow morning and I will explain how the shocks come apart Steve. Got your message too late to phone you back

[Qube]

Shocks are easy enough to change one bolt top and bottom 19mm heads, as for dismantling theres a nut just below the top spring holder, but you'll have to compress the springs to remove it, I recently replaced my rear shocks and the springs came with them, i'd replace the springs as well as these have a tendency to sag after a few years especially the passsengers side, must be all those roundabouts and drains.
Good Luck

[greenv8s]

I always find compressing the springs fairly traumatic as the loads involved are quite eye-watering, and I've yet to find a spring compressor that fits these small diameter springs properly. But after struggling to do it the hard way all these years, I finally realized that once the compressor is on the spring, I can use the weight of the car to compress it. So in my case the procedure is jack the car up to fully extend the dampers, this opens the springs far enough to get the compressor on, then carefdully lower the car to compress the springs, while making sure the compressor clears the body of the damper. Tighten the compressor to take up the slack this left, then jack the car up again. The compressors stop the spring extending, so you are left with the spring rattling loose on the damper, finally simply undo the two bolts and take the whole lot off. No doubt with proper workshop facilities and a spring compressor clamped to a work bench it's far easier to do it all off the car, but I don't have any of that so I have to make do the best I can.