Hey guys,

I was informed that my shocks need changing on my TH. I asked for an approximate price and i was told $900... that is a bit out of my price range so I am seeking possibilities on doing it myself.

Anyone know any guides/descriptions on how to change with or without pics? anyone able to tell me is it out of my league to try and attempt considering I havent done it before? is it time consuming?

Any help cheers in advance!

UTB

Changing shocks.

Do a search to find the Autospeed article about changing springs, this shows how to remove and replace shocks.

Also a good idea is to get your hands on the shop manual.
Again do a search for the download link.

The official MITS manual is a bit sp****, however it does show the disassembly and reassembly sequences as well as reasonable diagram of the suspension assemblies.

You do need tools of course. The most important thing is to have a decent pair of spring compressors, as well as a jack and a good pair of axle stands.

Reckon on 3 to 4 hours. First one of each side always takes longer. Rear suepension can be a bit fiddly as there is not a lot of room to drop the spring and shock absorber assembly down and then wriggle out of the wheelarch.

Cost to replace will drop dramatically. Have a look at Philcomm Rally prices.

$900 would buy you a set of Koni sports all round.
Or you could go to KYB's and lowered springs for about the same money.

Order is improving quality.
Monroe

Monroe Gas - better than the basic shocks.

KYB - I have used on another car - definitely better than Monroe

Koni - Had on cars in the UK. Superb, adjustable. but expensive, approx $900 for a set. Also the fronts are inserts, this means that you will have to cut the top of the original Monroe struts and drill a large hole in the bottom of the strut to be able to bolt the insert in.

Coilovers - more expensive . comes in 2 flavours, Again do a search if you want to find out more.

Gerry

yeah i would be looking else where first. a few years back i got my car lowered with all new springs and shocks and it cost me under $700 fitted. that labour side of that was about $120 ($60 an end).

the fronts aren't hard to pull out, but the changing of the srpings is a bit harder. you need a spring compressor to take the tension of the springs so they don't shoot the ends of the shocks off when you take the top of the struts off (once they are out of the car).

I published some info here (http://martybugs.net/magna/kyb.cgi), with pics, when I installed some KYB struts and shocks on my TJ wagon.

Cheers,
Martin.

it costs $400 for KYBs and labour wouldnt cost more than $150 so $550 and thats getting some where to put them in!

philcom has the KYB's for $400

I had KYB ExcelG and Lovells low springs installed all round for $970. Also included new bump stops.