Good Day Jaggers,

Planning on replacing my front shocks as I believe they are pretty much shot...at least the front right one is. I was looking at the JTIS and it mentions removing the wheel hub and some other things that I wanted to make sure were necessary to access the springs and shocks before I perform any maintenance on them and replace them.

Another question comes to mind. I have been looking at a few spring compressor kits at harbor freight for $13...pretty inexpensive..

I would like to avoid having a shop do this as I would rather just take a day off work and get paid to change my struts..didn't know if this is a giant job...looks simple enough if I have the right tools.

TIA

 

this is a great question as I am also curious to find the answergood luck with your project

 

There's a How To with pictures here Strut removal guide stating not the JTIS way but works.

 

Your awesome...didn't even know that site existed...thanks!

 

As far as the spring compressors go, I have the harbor freight ones and they work just fine. Just make sure they are holding the springs securely.

 

My only concern with this job is that frame bolt that could break free.. guess it would give me a reason to buy an angle grinder...lol

 

I did this just yesterday (to fit lowering springs), I didn't want to touch subframe bolt, so I took a different approach....

Wheel off,
Caliper off,
Disc off,
ABS Sensor off,
ARB Link off,
Track Rod end off,
Lower Strut Bolt off,
Driveshaft Nut off,
Ball Joint split,
Strut Top Nuts off,

Shock & Hub removed together, & hub gently tapped off.

The grazed knuckles are still raw........

 

After removal of the drive shaft nut did you have to support it underneath with like a jack stand of some kind? Also on the ball joint split it seems like I could use a short flat head and a hammer to split it slightly to remove the strut...does that sound about right?

 

Use a proper ball joint splitter, but be careful not to damage the rubber or else you'll need to replace it.

Driveshaft rested on the wishbone, but you could support it/hang it if you wanted to. Keep a scissor jack to hand.

 

Is a ball joint splitter the same tool as the tie rod end tool? The one that clamps around it and then you screw the bolt thing underneath it to pop out the outer tie rod end? Is this or a similar tool used for the ball joint as well? It sounds as if they are almost interchangeable. I know they have the fork tool thing too but I like the idea of the clamping tool.

 

You need the fork for the ball joint.

 

Hi Amir-----I'm in the process of replacing my struts the same way you did. I have run into a snag with the lower ball joint unable to clear from the wheel knuckle. There is tension on it drawing it in at a cockeyed angle causing it not to clear knuckle. Wonder if you experienced this same issue and the solution. Thanks

 

Bracester, go to YouTube look for this video:
How to replace front shock absorbers on JAGUAR X-TYPE 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC