I started to take my front shock off with a song in my heart. I removed the MAF to have easy access to the top mount and eased it and started on the bottom bolt. An hour later I got it off after much puffing and blowing. I suspect this be 20 years old.

Now I can't get the bolt out of the bush, it seems to be rusted solid to the inner sleeve of the bush. I tried various things like easing oil, belting it with a hammer - the usual. I've done this before so I know it can require determination and force.

There's no simple trick for this Jag I guess just perseverance. Working on my back on the drive isn't helping

I am reluctant to start cutting things as the car be made mobile and taken 200 yards to village garage.

 

Firstly, you gotta restart the song..... then maybe try some heating alongside belting it?

 

My concern about heat is twofold, I can't really get the heat where it's needed as everything gets in the way and I don't have a gas bottle just a 'domestic' blowtorch. Also if I melt the rubber then I can't use the car which would be annoying although a short noisy run to the local garage would be possible.

I'm only doing this for fun, I could just take it to the village garage from the get go. They are good and also good value. They would also let me 'assist' if I ask.

 

Whatever you do, you will need a new bolt, so get one ordered (or two if you are doing both sides). and beat the cr*p out of it to get it moving!
Removing the lower bush is a right pain aswell, so if you can I would probably just take it to the local garage unless you are confortable with cutting out the old bush aswell.

 

It's all a matter of access really. If I could get at it I could belt it but lying on my back and being a little older doesn't help. I may investigate the other side but if it's easily done then it won't take any time at the garage. Grr. I was hoping to enjoy some spanner work.

Ordered the bolts.

 

You could just cut both end of the bolt off, prise the bottom of the shock apart to get it over what it left and then use a small hole saw or drill loads of small holes on the rubber part of the bush and just push it out that way.

 

That had occurred to me but it's destructive and would mean I couldn't get the Jag to the garage if I had to.

I have just seen a suggestion that an air chisel might punch the seized bolt out. I have access to one although my compressor isn't very beefy. I think I may try that next.

 

Hi there, I done my shock bushes and took the same approach as " dfieldsend" its the quickest way, bushes and bolts are cheap, and you may as well do the top bushes too as they will almost certainly be shot, I used " British Parts" good luck.

 

I have a full set of bushes (from British Parts) and will have new bolts, I just feel uneasy about being destructive, however, I do appreciate the advice being given here.

I've done this and similar jobs on Range Rovers and Land Rovers but of course they stand very high and are really just giant Tonka Toys. The Jag is more cramped and sophisticated.

 

Yes, I fully sympathies with you there, sitting so low to the ground can make things a pain especially working with just jacks and axle stands on my driveway, my brother owns a Jeep Cherokee and that is way easier to work on.

 

I've helped change an axle on a Jeep, took us two evenings.

 

if it is only 200 yards, I would happily drive the car with one shock off, in the event that your attempts to remove the bolt/bush go pear shaped. I would go the destructive path to get the bush and bolt out.

 

It's time for the bolt head to meets its maker...

 

You are singing a siren song of cut and thrust. It is of course what I have done previously in various ways - do you know what a bob tailed Range Rover is? I burnt a grinder out doing it as it kept on stalling on the aluminium roof

Ok so I think I'll see if the other side offers the same problem and assess the situation. I'm being a little bit of a cissy about this I think.

 

Bolts arrived and damn me they don't fit the replacement bushes. Teach me to use two suppliers. I'm guessing the garage will have some suitable bolts. I am somewhat annoyed though.

Add to that my daily drive a Rover 75 is having trouble with its clutch the Jag is promoted to daily drive and is now reassembled with old shocks still in place.

 

I'm sure you are well aware that copper grease or anti-seize will be your friend in the years to come.

 

Damn right I am.

 

Well eventually I took the car to the village garage and they managed to get one new shock absorber fitted and predictably it took them ages which is both amusing and irritating. They ran out of time due to a rash of breakdowns needing their attention and I needed the car so I have it back with just one new shocker and one old.

However, the new one makes a creaking or groaning noise both when bounce tested and in motion.

Any thoughts?

I wish I'd never started this process now. Sigh.

Mike