Kentishcolin
New Member
To change front shocks on a discovery Td5 (03) without jacking up the car and removing wheels :-
Spray nuts and bolts with WD40 or release oil the day before.
Firstly, put handbrake firmly on and chock all four wheels both sides so nothing can move anywhere ......... safety first.
Passenger side is fairly straight forward and the easiest to access, start by undoing the two bolts at the bottom of the shock/ spring seat, these are inside the spring and are a little fiddly to get at but with a good fitting combination spanner they came out ok (I used a ½AF).
Next loosen the big thro bolt (18mm socket) at the top of the shock tower and then undo the four 13mm nuts at the base of the tower, 2 are accessible under the wheel arch working over the wheel and the other 2 working down thro the engine bay.
The shock and tower can now be lifted straight upwards, this is a juggle as the shock tower needs to clear the inner wing and some of the engine/ turbo pipes but it does come out !
Replace the shock (dont tighten the large bolt yet) and lower back into place with it extended so it reaches the bottom mount position.
Tighten up the 4 shock mount nuts first then finally the 3 bolts for the shock itself.
The drivers side is basically the same other than the coolant reservoir being in the way. This can be unclipped and moved with care to one side without disconnecting anything (you may need to tie it back). Also watch out for cable clips attached to the shock tower on this side.
Same sequence as the passenger side for removal and re-placement.
A couple of hours and all done (tea breaks included .. sun was shinning !! )
Obviously its a squeeze getting under the disco and working but if you dont own a very good heavy duty car (lorry !) jack then its a safe option.
Hope it helps someone J
Spray nuts and bolts with WD40 or release oil the day before.
Firstly, put handbrake firmly on and chock all four wheels both sides so nothing can move anywhere ......... safety first.
Passenger side is fairly straight forward and the easiest to access, start by undoing the two bolts at the bottom of the shock/ spring seat, these are inside the spring and are a little fiddly to get at but with a good fitting combination spanner they came out ok (I used a ½AF).
Next loosen the big thro bolt (18mm socket) at the top of the shock tower and then undo the four 13mm nuts at the base of the tower, 2 are accessible under the wheel arch working over the wheel and the other 2 working down thro the engine bay.
The shock and tower can now be lifted straight upwards, this is a juggle as the shock tower needs to clear the inner wing and some of the engine/ turbo pipes but it does come out !
Replace the shock (dont tighten the large bolt yet) and lower back into place with it extended so it reaches the bottom mount position.
Tighten up the 4 shock mount nuts first then finally the 3 bolts for the shock itself.
The drivers side is basically the same other than the coolant reservoir being in the way. This can be unclipped and moved with care to one side without disconnecting anything (you may need to tie it back). Also watch out for cable clips attached to the shock tower on this side.
Same sequence as the passenger side for removal and re-placement.
A couple of hours and all done (tea breaks included .. sun was shinning !! )
Obviously its a squeeze getting under the disco and working but if you dont own a very good heavy duty car (lorry !) jack then its a safe option.
Hope it helps someone J
