I replaced my rear shocks with new Bilsteins this week. No hugely difficult issues, other than that right hand bottom bolt being a bit stubbornly tight. My pneumatic 'rattle gun' wouldn't move it at all, but a good, new 18mm socket and a breaker bar with a 4 foot extension made short work of it. The left one was a much easier proposition. I have almost 200,000 km on the clock and the shocks were origiinals, so I definitely notice the rear ride improvement and much quieter sound over bumps. As for the front ones, I realised that I really do need a hoist to get the car to a more workable level, and so approached a friend (who has a repair shop) to ask if I could do the job in his shop. He has very kindly offered to do both struts for me and will only charge a basic fee. Fantastic! It'll be well worth a box of beer and a barbecued steak as a tip. I'm sure the ride will be even better and am waiting for early next week when he can get the car in.

 

Dandy!

 

Follow-up post: My mate changed the front struts for me and I am so glad that I didn't attempt it at home. The right one was a pretty straight forward affair, but the left one was a nightmare. The CV shaft would not separate from the wheel - lubricant, hammer, bigger hammer, heat, press, etc. He was getting signs that if he continued, he would have to break something, so he left the hub alone and removed the strut without much space to work. I'm very appreciative for him getting it finished. He said that if ever I have to change a wheel bearing on that side, I'd better buy a CV shaft to go with the bearing, as it may require cutting to remove the shaft. Bugger! Anyway, I got a wheel alignment, just in case, and the car is driving like a quiet dream. I went on a short (about 800 kilometres) drive one the weekend and could really feel the difference crossing rough patches and other bumps.

 

nice one

 

Did you use the standard Bilsteins or the sport version?

 

I believe they are 'Standard', the only ones I could immediately get in Australia, and the only ones that the main Jag/Daimler company stock here. Part numbers are: Front C2S29541, Rear S2S2389. They handle as well as I need.