Done the front. Taken 1 and half days - with mechanic friend helping a couple of hours yesterday (more for moral support of course
).
Nut splitters would not handle the the lower shocker at 16mm - so had to continue to cut from above with an angle grinder.
Had more luck with the lower bolt on the other shocker - used a plumers wrench (which mechanic friend called "stilsons" - who suggested that one?
) and freed the nut.
Had to cut through both the upper shock bolts attached to the turrets - even with the flat in a vice, once the locknut hit the vice jaws there is nothing to grap the upper section of the shocker with (the upper metal section is hidden within the turret and plastic sleve).
Fitting the new kit
Had to decide on which set of washers to use with the Tuffback BA 2524 schokers - came with two sets, the samller identical to the originals, the larger came fitted to the shockers (see pic).
I used the larger washers as it seemed they are more appropriate for 'heavy duty' (hope I got that right).
Only hitch on fitting was the need to remove the plastic wheel arch liners in order to push the turret far enough up into the engine bay for the lower shocker thread to clear the upper mounting bracket (not mentioned in Haynes, but I guess it would not be necessary with standard height shocks).
Front all done (defo recommend buying replacement turret rings at £7 each)...
I'm off to do the back now, I'll let you know how it goes.
![[JP]](/data/avatars/m/29/29578.jpg?1437394565){kind=avatar}
