Changing shocks and coils

rankar · Apr 10, 2014

guys, i was reading the nas d90 shop manual on how to replace the shocks and springs. i've never replaced shocks and springs on a car (probably from some high school trauma when i watched in amazement as my pal was attempting to do the same thing on his old toyota supra-i think it was- and the spring came out of its housing, shot down into the driveway and put a massive dent in it).

is it really that easy to change on a 90, like it says in the manual? don't need a compression tool or anything? any other thoughts before i tackle this over the next few weeks (i'll probably replace the shock towers too). thanks all.

javelinadave · Apr 10, 2014

Easy peasy. No spring compressor required.

ontheway · Apr 10, 2014

Did rears a few days ago -- took about an hour.

rankar · Apr 10, 2014

hey dave thanks. i'll report back in a few weeks (it'll take a minimum of two weeks for me to get over the image of the killer coil in high school).

Z.G · Apr 10, 2014

I made a video on how to change shocks and springs on a Disco 2, which would mostly carry over to the D90 with the exception of the mounting style on the shocks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHYCuSB-PzQ

sloanfiske · Apr 10, 2014

rankar said:
is it really that easy to change on a 90.

Yep. You can probably do them all in a few hours by yourself if the nuts/bolts are in good shape.

Jbullis · Apr 10, 2014

I would make sure I had on hand an extra set of tower retainer rings on hand. You will most likely break a bolt when taking it off. Also use anti-seize on the bolts when you reassemble for future use.

Z.G · Apr 10, 2014

Jbullis said:
I would make sure I had on hand an extra set of tower retainer rings on hand. You will most likely break a bolt when taking it off. Also use anti-seize on the bolts when you reassemble for future use.

Heard that.... just had to buy one of those rings when changing shocks on my D1

Red90 · Apr 10, 2014

The bottom of the front shocks is the biggest problem. Unless you live in a dry, non winter area they will be impossible to undo. You then need to break them or cut them off.

rankar · Apr 11, 2014

Thanks guys for all the helpful info. And, just watched the video. Thanks for forwarding the link Zack, that was very helpful.

If I have my assistant with me (my son) then I'll shoot a vid. Could be several hours of bolt banging though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

rankar · Aug 17, 2014

So check this out...

I finally got to this small project after some other odds and ends. And when I took this pic, all was ok. Then I started on the retainer rings... I sheared almost every bolt.

I know Jason, you said to have some spares and I didn't get them. So now I'll order four rings and some new shock towers while I'm at it.

What other parts would you guys recommend while I'm in there?

rankar · Aug 17, 2014

Thanks Jeff. Back to the coils in a couple of days or so...

rankar · Aug 21, 2014

Yup thanks Jeff. Got the parts the other day, and the big jaw locking vise grip just because it's a cool tool (saw that on another thread on shocks).

For some reason, the usual suspects didn't have galvanized shock towers in stock so I just got the standard height terrafirma heavy duty open towers.

crown14 · Aug 24, 2014

Always best to break the fasteners loose on the tower retaining rings before you jack the truck up.
The D2 style rings are preffered, they are rubberized, use nylock bolts, little cones built in, better design overall.

rankar · Aug 26, 2014

Finally. All done. Here's a shot of the front (it's raised just a bit because of the uneven pavement). Thanks guys for all the advice.

rankar · Aug 26, 2014

And an action shot my wife took as I was doing the last one

Changing shocks and coils

rankar

javelinadave

ontheway

rankar

Z.G

sloanfiske

Jbullis

Z.G

Red90

rankar

rankar

rankar

rankar

crown14

rankar

rankar

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