Rear shock PITA!!!

drfoster · Dec 8, 2023

Hi there,

anyone know the length of the standard rear shock on a 110 defender Van 1997 300TDI when under compression?

i tried to replace the bushes today but failed to get the bottom nut off, gripping the rod at the bottom i could get the 18mm nut to turn down but couldn't get it off the last few threads and no way to grip the shock without it turning. might just resort to replacing the shocks but polybushing them at the same time.
its a **** design putting the thread at the bottom where it corrodes with no way to hold the shock to stop if from turning to get the nut off!!

I think the shocks are standard rather than lifted and i'm happy to stay standard but i want to make sure i get the right length ones for the car.

cheers in advance

Steve

miktdish · Dec 8, 2023

You need to grab the shock body with a pair of soft jawed plumbers wrench's, as low down as you can, and use a rattle gun.
If the threads are cleaned you may even be able to hold the body with your hand and use the gun to spin the nut off.

tottot · Dec 8, 2023

I have used a Stillson right at the bottom of the shock tube with no issues except a few marks, as above rattle gun will often shift nut or snap the shaft in which case time for new damper.
Have also used an oil filter strap wrench to hold the tube.

300bhp/ton · Dec 8, 2023

drfoster said:
Hi there,

anyone know the length of the standard rear shock on a 110 defender Van 1997 300TDI when under compression?

i tried to replace the bushes today but failed to get the bottom nut off, gripping the rod at the bottom i could get the 18mm nut to turn down but couldn't get it off the last few threads and no way to grip the shock without it turning. might just resort to replacing the shocks but polybushing them at the same time.
its a **** design putting the thread at the bottom where it corrodes with no way to hold the shock to stop if from turning to get the nut off!!

I think the shocks are standard rather than lifted and i'm happy to stay standard but i want to make sure i get the right length ones for the car.

cheers in advance

Steve

No such thing as lifted shocks, just longer. Lift is from the springs.

Don't really know why you are not able to buy a standard shock. It is as easy as buying a pint of milk. Just look for standard or the absence of +2 in the title. Or failing that, pick the phone up and speak to the people you are buying from.

A windy gun (or leccy version) is good for undoing the bottom nut. But you might need to clamp the shock.

Def90man · Dec 8, 2023

This is what I use to hold the shocks. Works well for the front too

drfoster · Dec 8, 2023

300bhp/ton said:
No such thing as lifted shocks, just longer. Lift is from the springs.

Don't really know why you are not able to buy a standard shock. It is as easy as buying a pint of milk. Just look for standard or the absence of +2 in the title. Or failing that, pick the phone up and speak to the people you are buying from.

A windy gun (or leccy version) is good for undoing the bottom nut. But you might need to clamp the shock.

oh i can buy standard shocks no problem, i just want to make sure that i am replacing like for like

drfoster · Dec 8, 2023

Def90man said:
This is what I use to hold the shocks. Works well for the front too

View attachment 304497

i like those! i've got mole grips but they don't open up wide enough for the bottom shock body. i've got some plumbers pliers i can try , maybe tomorrow

drfoster · Dec 8, 2023

miktdish said:
You need to grab the shock body with a pair of soft jawed plumbers wrench's, as low down as you can, and use a rattle gun.
If the threads are cleaned you may even be able to hold the body with your hand and use the gun to spin the nut off.

i think an impact wrench might be on my xmas list!!

Brown · Dec 8, 2023

If you're replacing the shock anyway, you might as well cut the end off. A couple of minutes with the angle grinder and you'll be done.

drfoster · Dec 9, 2023

Brown said:
If you're replacing the shock anyway, you might as well cut the end off. A couple of minutes with the angle grinder and you'll be done.

i wasn't planning on replacing it though, top bush is knackered so i was just going to replace the top and bottom bushes with poly ones.
might order a pair then if i can't this one off then i've got a spare but send them back if i can get it off, rebushed then back in place

Anaconda · Dec 9, 2023

drfoster said:
i wasn't planning on replacing it though, top bush is knackered so i was just going to replace the top and bottom bushes with poly ones.
might order a pair then if i can't this one off then i've got a spare but send them back if i can get it off, rebushed then back in place

Really you should fit a pair anyway, some places will only sell as a pair. Might not make that much difference on a Defender anyway!

300bhp/ton · Dec 9, 2023

Anaconda said:
Really you should fit a pair anyway, some places will only sell as a pair. Might not make that much difference on a Defender anyway!

I suspect you'd be super hard pressed to find a place that would refuse to only sell you one. And while it might be good practice, there is no legal or even scientific reason that you should change them in pairs.

Brown · Dec 9, 2023

drfoster said:
i wasn't planning on replacing it though, top bush is knackered so i was just going to replace the top and bottom bushes with poly ones.
might order a pair then if i can't this one off then i've got a spare but send them back if i can get it off, rebushed then back in place

Well, you were asking how long they were above, which kind of implied you were getting some new ones.

I've held shock absorbers still to undo the nuts with large water pump pliers, a large mole wrench (now sadly stolen - you can't get them that big any more), webbing strap and a Stillson wrench. The worst you'll do is scratch the paint. And if the shock absorber has been on long enough to need new bushes the paint is probably not looking very pretty anyway.

drfoster · Dec 9, 2023

Anaconda said:
Really you should fit a pair anyway, some places will only sell as a pair. Might not make that much difference on a Defender anyway!

i probably would swap both if i needed to. it all depends on whether the nut goes back on after i've got it off.

drfoster · Dec 9, 2023

Brown said:
Well, you were asking how long they were above, which kind of implied you were getting some new ones.

yeah that was a "just in case" i needed to order some new ones. i think i'll probably just buy a pair and whack them on.

miktdish · Dec 9, 2023

drfoster said:
i probably would swap both if i needed to. it all depends on whether the nut goes back on after i've got it off.

I think they are just a standard M12 Nyloc nut ...

Anaconda · Dec 9, 2023

300bhp/ton said:
I suspect you'd be super hard pressed to find a place that would refuse to only sell you one. And while it might be good practice, there is no legal or even scientific reason that you should change them in pairs.

Never said there was a legal requirement.
Paddocks sell the dynamic ones in pairs only last time I bought some .

drfoster · Dec 9, 2023

miktdish said:
I think they are just a standard M12 Nyloc nut ...

its the thread that might be fecked, might need to run a die down it

Brown · Dec 9, 2023

The thread might depend on the brand. I've got some Koni's which are 1/2" UNF rather than 12 mm.

Brown · Dec 9, 2023

Def90man said:
This is what I use to hold the shocks. Works well for the front too

View attachment 304497

I'm pleased to see your hands are almost as dirty as mine, complete with the ingrained grime around the cuticles. It beats me how some of the people on here manage to run a Land Rover with such clean hands.

Rear shock PITA!!!

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