Can the front, lower shock absorber bushings be replaced with the shock on the car and if so, how difficult a job is it?

Thanks

Tim V.

 

I found this post by, Jag TECHOHIO, for an XJ that may apply. The problem was totally different than what you are doing but the procedure to get to the bushing may be the same. I would think you could visualize the steps and determine if it applies.

Just an idea!

Also if you can search the general forum, search thread, for your symptom as I did, to see if anyone posted it under a different thread.

Trying to help.

Jack the front end up, place axle stands under the front jack points.

Place the jack under one front lower spring pan and jack up to compress the spring just a bit.

Remove the top shock nut, washer, bushing and bushing locating washer from under the hood, on top of the wheel arch.

Lower the jack, not all the way or the shock top shaft will bind in the hole through the wheel arch.

You should now be able to grab the shock at the mounting bushing under the wheel arch and compress the shock by hand. I have done this a thousand times, as this is the procedure for changing the shock bushings. Only you won't be able to compress the shock, because it is seized. Like I said, it happens once in a while, but never with the results you have.

If you can compress the shocks by hand, and I seriously doubt it, then the next place tocheck is the upper wishbone mounting bushings. If you release the upper ball joint from the vertical link, you will then be able to pivot the upper wishbone assembly up and down freely on its bushings. If youcan't, then the bushings are seized and that is what is causing the problem.

99% it's the shocks. Cheapest are Monroe, you can get them anywhere. Next cheapest are KYB, you can get them almost anywhere. Neither will provide the smooth ride that the OEM shocks provide, but you won't notice anythingexcept the big improvement over what you have now.