Hello - preparatory to replacing front shock absorbers and and shock mounts, it occurred to me that it might be possible to remove the spring/shock absorber as an assembly without removing the upper control arm / wishbone.

Is that reasonably possible?

Thanks!!!

 

Yes, I did it on my 2002 4.2 XK8. The top ball joint was split from the hub at the time.

 

You will have to either break the ball joint loose from the hub so the wishbone can drop down or remove the Fulcrum bolt and the top of the wishbone. One or the other.