Some encouragement and advice needed!

Hobby

Active Member
Flush from the success of replacing the seats in Roger the Rover I've decided to tackle the next job on the list, a clunking coming from the rear suspension! After consulting with one of the Club Gurus we decided that first port of call should be the shock absorber bushes as being a possible cause and relatively easy to do... So Wins are now sending me a set of 4...

Now back in the '80s I raced an F2 Stockcar which I had built up from a basic frame so I've done some mechanical work. But that was a long time ago and I never really messed with my road cars. The stockie was also quite easy as it was an open frame to which everything bolted on and was easy to access, so I am a bit concerned about this little job I've lined up...

So I am after a little help and encouragement...

From the workshop manual I believe that I should take out the rear seat (having just put it in!!) and undo some bolts behind that, after which I jack up the back and undo some more under the spring and the shocker should just come out! Sounds simple enough, but some questions. Will the shock absorber have enough room to come out if the car is simply jacked up? Is it really that simple to do?! Is there a set way I have to put the bushes on or is it self explanatory when it comes out? Could I do it in the open on the drive with just a trolley jack and axle stands?
 
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You could reverse the car up on to ramps and then drop the shock absorber out from underneath. If you support the car under the base unit with the suspension hanging you will need to raise and support the trailing arms a bit as the suspension travel is longer than the damper travel. If you get the correct bushes it should be self explanatory how to fit them.
 
Ah, that sounds like a better idea. I can borrow next door's ramps! I've always dealt with shocks and springs that are combined, it's a bit weird dealing with ones that are separate!
 
Unless it has been removed recently, take care with removing the four bolts that hold the plate to the underside, of the trailing arm. They can snap off and then you will have some fun :) So be gently as possible and make sure you soak them as much as you can with release fluid. When all four are undone, remove the rear seat back and undo the two nuts on the top of the shock.

There are eight rubbers and four nylon bushes.

When you're under there, have a good look around at the other bushes on each end of the trailing arm, and on the smaller link from the top of the de-dion to the side of the boot.
 
Unless it has been removed recently, take care with removing the four bolts that hold the plate to the underside, of the trailing arm. They can snap off and then you will have some fun :) So be gently as possible and make sure you soak them as much as you can with release fluid.

If they are the proper bolts they shouldn't snap, I've never had one that has, if they've been replaced with normal bolts then that's a different matter.
 
If they are the proper bolts they shouldn't snap, I've never had one that has, if they've been replaced with normal bolts then that's a different matter.

Must be me then :confused: I've had them snap on two cars, but I have driven some rust buckets in my time.
 
Were they the special bolts? If so it must be down to those old rust buckets you USED to drive! :)

No idea, twas a long time ago :) I do remember one of them was so bad that the plate had rotted through meaning the shock was only hanging from the top, so a fair bit of rust there, and some very interesting handling.

I'll wait and see what arrives but I was under the impression I was just getting 4 bushes, top and bottom of each shock? What else should I have got?!!

You'll probably get the nylon bushes, which wear on the sides allowing the shock pin to contact the bodywork. These were Sparky's. You can plainly see where they have worn, and how they can allow the shock to rattle about side to side. If the rubbers are ok, just refit them.

Rear shock bushes.JPG
 
Just spoke to them, they recon some cars had them and some didn't, he said the same as you, take them off and have a look first!
 
Just spoke to them, they recon some cars had them and some didn't, he said the same as you, take them off and have a look first!

V8 and 2200 had them, because they shared the same rear suspension, 2000 suspension was different so didn't have them.
 
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