Hi everyone

I just had a quick question please: are spring compressors required to change the rear shocks on a TJ sedan with standard height springs? If so, are they manually compressible or will I need an air compressor and rattle gun? I recall some years ago changing the front shocks and compressing those springs was a real PITA...

Although I have access to 4 spring compressors and an air compressor / rattle gun, I'd like to know ahead of time if they're needed as they are not at my home.

Thank you

Billy

yeah you have to compress the springs, but I found it so much easier then the front as the spring is a lot longer so its a lot easier to compress

Just make sure if you are going to do this job, you only use quality spring compressors (I found Kincrome ones to be quite good and only around ~$100).

You don't want the spring compressors coming loose or anything, as obviously a compressed spring flying off is extremely dangerous. I had tried a pair of cheaper $60 pair of spring compressors and they basically bound up the thread when trying to compress standard springs enough to pull about a front strut on a Magna.

And obviously you can loosen the top plate bolt slightly while in car but never undo this bolt until the entire spring can be moved freely inside the tower (meaning you have compressed it enough, that when you unbolt it is not going to go flying.

i never used them when i did mine but i had sports springs

Thanks everyone for your advice, it's much appreciated. From what I recall, sport springs provide a 10mm drop over the standard so I might be able to get away without the air compressor / rattle gun. That said, I'll borrow them and keep on standby just in case and report back once complete. Thanks again!

Saying that billy mason i put my foot on the spring and then rattled the nut off pointing the strut towards a soft safe area

I highly recommend spring compressors, why take the risk?

eg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYFOI_UsVxI

Hi everyone again, I just had one more question please:

Are there any other bushes or seals directly associated with the rear shock absorbers that you recommend that I replace when I replace the rear shocks?

I recall when I had them replaced a few years ago the suspension place said that they had to replace a bushing or something but only on one side. I can't remember what or where it was though.

One reason I ask is that I had a thump / knock from the left rear when I drive up the kerb into my driveway, that I don't hear from the rear right. I suspect that there could be a bushing or something at the top of the strut at the parcel shelf that should be replaced perhaps?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Billy

my bush was fine at the top of the shock they cant really wear and as far as I know all the bushes on the rear need to be pressed in, I tried to replace my upper control bushes but couldn't as I don't have a press, plus make sure you get a wheel alignment after you replace the shocks, mine was terrible afterwards

Hi everyone again, I just had one more question please:

Are there any other bushes or seals directly associated with the rear shock absorbers
Billy

The coil spring has a rubber insolator at the top. My 'Ellery's workshop manual refers to it as a 'spring pad'. You might consider replacing them while you have the springs out. I'm replacing them in my wagon while I am doing the shocks. (Hopefully this weekend). I believe mine is squashed and hard, contributing to a real thump at times. This is my recent thread. http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105263

I dont know what size the sedan uses or where you would get them.

Thanks alchemysa. From your post, I was able to effectively search for the item and found the part:

Rear suspension spring insulator - AW346817

This website (https://www.parts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.sectionDiagram&siteid=2&vehicleid=92925&diagram=6295440&section=REAR%20SUSPENSION&Title=Mitsubishi-Diamante-ES-V6-3.5-%20Liter-GAS) provides a good diagram of the rear strut assembly and the parts / numbers.

I'll ring Mitsu and see if they still stock the part, as well as the damper (MB242352).

Thanks again!

Thanks alchemysa. From your post, I was able to effectively search for the item and found the part:

Rear suspension spring insulator - AW346817

This website (https://www.parts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.sectionDiagram&siteid=2&vehicleid=92925&diagram=6295440&section=REAR%20SUSPENSION&Title=Mitsubishi-Diamante-ES-V6-3.5-%20Liter-GAS) provides a good diagram of the rear strut assembly and the parts / numbers.

I'll ring Mitsu and see if they still stock the part, as well as the damper (MB242352).

Thanks again!

The sedan rear suspension looks a bit more complicated than the wagon. The wagon just has a single rubber isolator at the top of the coil, and the shocker is outside the coil. A whole lot simpler set up for sure.

I thought I should close my OP with an update after replacing all 4 shock absorbers at the weekend. Focusing on the rear shock absorbers:

- The spring insulators and other rubbers looked fine so didn't need to replace
- The shock absorbers can be easily and quickly compressed using two spring compressors and a socket set
- A rattle gun and air compressor was required to undo the top hat bolts as well as a g-clamp to hold the thread still (see photo). I re-tightened the bolts by hand so that, hopefully, they can be un-done by hand should I replace the shock absorbers again in the future.
- Having the car on axle stands meant that my lift jack was free to position the new shock absorbers in place so that the pin on the suspension arm could be put through the bushing.
- Replacing the rear shock absorbers took about 2 hours.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j132/walker35tc/IMG_20150413_204625_zpsnohvwzze.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/walker35tc/media/IMG_20150413_204625_zpsnohvwzze.jpg.html)