Rear Shocks

[ihouston]

I have just got some Gaz rear shocks and springs for the back of my 280i - any advice on an easy way to get at the top nut on the shock - hardly any space to get a spanner to the nut as chassis and body get in the way. Is there a neat trick to doing this that I am missing - any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Ian

[350zwelgje]

It is fiddly and difficult, but not impossible.
Alternative is to make access holes in the boot to be able to get at them from the top.

Rob

[ihouston]

Thanks Rob - thought that might be the case - I have removed one but it took an eternity 1/4 turn by 1/4 turn - would like more access when putting them back to make sure they are nice and tight - looks like some holes in the boot floor coming up.
cheers
Ian

[grahamw48]

Make sure you put some loctite or similar on too.

I had the top nut come off on my 280FHC, and the new shocker flapping about.
(No, I didn't fit it...wish I had. )

[adam quantrill]

Sometimes the body packing between the boot bottom and the chassis has perished and the body is sitting lower than usual on the chassis. My tip is to undo the two bolts in the boot that holt the body down, and jack it up a bit under the boot with a nice big block of wood to spread the load, you'll then get a couple more inches clearance. Take the opportunity if you need to to replace the packing rubber, I find that cut up old tyre treads work well here.

[ihouston]

Thanks Adam - that sounds like a good idea - worth a try - do you think I will manage to get a couple of inches out of it - where is the next body to chassis location - it would help to know just so I can make sure I am not forcing anything when lifting the body.
Cheers
Ian

[adam quantrill]

I think it's bolted down near the front of the rear wheel arch to the sills - exact details depend on series 1 or 2 I suppose. Just jack it up, but stop if it starts creaking!

[GV]

Does this apply to the front too. My driver's side has dropped on the front by about an inch. I thought about jacking up the body and re-packing if was possible...??

[peaktorque]

GV said:

Does this apply to the front too. My driver's side has dropped on the front by about an inch. I thought about jacking up the body and re-packing if was possible...??

The whole front of my car had collapsed through the mounting points. Used a length of wood and a trolley jack, once the nose was just above the correct position I added some nice ali spreader plates (I had to remove the bolts from the chassis first).

Lowered the body back down, job done.

[ihouston]

One side done - can confirm you don't need to un bolt the body although it would make life loads easier - it is not easy but can be done with everything as is - I will post a picture when the other side is done

[GV]

peaktorque said:

GV said:

Does this apply to the front too. My driver's side has dropped on the front by about an inch. I thought about jacking up the body and re-packing if was possible...??

The whole front of my car had collapsed through the mounting points. Used a length of wood and a trolley jack, once the nose was just above the correct position I added some nice ali spreader plates (I had to remove the bolts from the chassis first).

Lowered the body back down, job done.

Did you undo all the body mounts before jacking or just the front connections?

[peaktorque]

GV said:

peaktorque said:

GV said:

Does this apply to the front too. My driver's side has dropped on the front by about an inch. I thought about jacking up the body and re-packing if was possible...??

The whole front of my car had collapsed through the mounting points. Used a length of wood and a trolley jack, once the nose was just above the correct position I added some nice ali spreader plates (I had to remove the bolts from the chassis first).

Lowered the body back down, job done.

Did you undo all the body mounts before jacking or just the front connections?

No just the front.

I guessed that seeing as the whole nose had dropped down at least an inch, I didn't think (hope!) taking it an inch above the original mounting point would cause any harm

I did do it very carefully, a mm at a time. There was the odd occasional groan from the shell , but it was fine. I have always had a stress crack around the O/S front wheel arch due to the body sagging, but after jacking it up it seems to have closed up a bit.