ST205 front shock absorbers replacement

Tools you need for this job:

- 3 Leg puller.

- Pitman arm puller.

- Ball joint splitter (or a pair of lump hammers to 'shock' the upper ball joint out).

- Copper/rubber mallet.

- Wrench with 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm and 22mm. 30mm DEEP socket if you want to take the drive shaft out of the axle carrier - can be done without removing it though.

- Breaker bar.

- Flat head screwdriver to remove U clips.

- Long nose pliers to remove cotter/split pins (have some replacements - halfrauds do packs).

- Wire/coat hanger to support the caliper.

- Penetrant spray.

- Blow torch (optional).

- Zip gun (optional).

- Allen key (can't remember the size but if you have a set, it'll be in it).

- Torque wrench is useful for reassembly.

--- Now, you'll probably need to grind off the old drop links as this was the one hold up for me (should have remembered from replacing the suspension on my old GT's rear). So make sure you have an angle grinder or a hacksaw at the very least PLUS replacement links - cheap pattern parts available from either TCB or in this case a local motorfactor in Comber - they also sell them on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360390662118? ... 97.c0.m619 item number 360390662118.

- While you're there you may as well also replace the rubber dust covers and rubber spring seats as they'll be toast, plus you're new bump stops. TCB and eBay were cheapest for me & TCB don't mess about charging more for delivery to NI.

- I decided against using spring compressors and took the shocks, rubbers, bump stops, spring pans, dust caps and top mounts to the local garage to get them to assemble it all with a hydraulic press and just gave them a tenner for their time. Saved buying my own compressors anyway.

If you've got most of those tools it's not a bad job. Here's a useful torque diagram

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/93-ss_torque.jpg[/IMG]

and a Camskill summary diagram of parts-

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/58864-63040-full-upper-dust-cover-48157-20160-663.jpg[/IMG]

New KYB Excel G up-rated shockers! (£218 delivered)

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/IMG_2458.jpg[/IMG]

Knackered shock, here you can see that after I've depressed it... it's just stayed in!!

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/IMG_2641.jpg[/IMG]

Offending drop links. Grind that sucker off!

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/IMG_2640.jpg[/IMG]

Old leaking shock

[IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/olsimo/IMG_2303-1.jpg[/IMG]