Shocks

[skinnydipper]

Anyone changed front shocks? Does it really take 3 hours:http://forums.landroverworld.org/showthread.php?t=3145

 

[joey]

Sadly it can be a pain to change the front shocks, but if you have the right tools and not a lot of rust you can do it faster, but not too much.

 

[skinnydipper]

Thanks Joey. I guess I was hoping for something that would motivate me to do it myself. Maybe I'll take it to a shop. The front shocks are shot, they move about 3/4" above the top of the shock tower. kinda scary, and dangerous too.

 

[Disco Mike]

If all you are replacing is the shocks, then do it yourself, it is not bad as long as you are not also changing your coils.
Who's shocks are you planning to install, the new OME's or Bilstein?
Shock if you want some help on the phone with this, should only take a little over an hour.

 

[skinnydipper]

Thanks Mike!

Yes, I planned on doing it myself. I just didn't want to put all day Saturday into it. Usually if something is supposed to take 3 hours it will take me at least double.

I bought OEM replacements. My Disco is more of a commuter and grocery gitter than an off-road vehicle. It's a 97 with only 120,000 miles and is in great shape so I thought I was more interested in saving a few dollars than "improving" the car.

 

[whydahdvr]

I'm curious about the gains/losses of replacing the stock air-suspension on a LR3 (when it goes) with coils and shocks? Just thinking ahead to options in the event that goes outside of warranty and I have sticker shock.

 

[Disco Mike]

I don't believe anyone offers a coil conversion for the LR3, there are height adjusters that many people have switched to, might want to PM Nathon, he can give you lots of LR3 information.

 

[whydahdvr]

Roger. Thanks.
I'll worry about this more, I think, when the warranty is due to run out and see what my situation is then.

 

[Disco Mike]

I believe you can install the lift arms without effecting your warranty.

 

[skinnydipper]

I changed all four shocks and the front steering stabilizer in about three hours yesterday. Instead of compressing the coil springs on the front, I just removed the shock tower and took the shocks out from above. The driver side front took less than 1/2 an hour.

The driver side rear took the longest because of rust and what looks like an a/c line running right in front of the top shock bolt. I had to use a box end wrench and hammer to get it off.