I've just replaced shocks on all four corners, which included re-using the springs. Took me about 4.5 hours per corner over four evenings, including tidying up each time afterwards.

There were no problems to overcome, as I'd already had it all apart before. So am I the slowest ever? Anyone know what the book time is?

 

Carl's skinny springs make it a 30 min. job to do the fronts IIRC...

Thanks for the heads up though, this task is on my radar though not urgent. Maybe I'll do one axle on each of two subsequent weekends.

 

How slow are you ?
What is it , 10 months to do your engine mounts....... & you haven't even started yet

 

IIRC that head gasket was really slow, took all winter didnt it??!

yeah i know, there were a few other parts replaced.... outdoors in the street... away from your own house...

 

If you are working in an apartment bldg. car park garage and have to lug your tool kit back to a secure area nightly, etc - 4.5 hrs/corner is not all bad!
I pulled the four shock units out of the car in <1.5 hrs .... thinking that the job was half over .... then the fun begins with spring compressors, sawing the rears apart to recover the adjusters, lining up all the holes in the rear suspension to reinsert the long pin, threading the fronts up through the A-arm (gravity doesn't help on reassembly!) ....it does take more time.

 

which shocks did you put on? new or rebuilt? what was the result, big improvement, small improvement, ...?

Marton

 

Please see my new post "Blimey Bilsteins Bloody Brilliant"

 

Am I the slowest ever? It took me from 10:30am until 1:00am to replace the CV Boots on one halfshaft and replace the hub on the same side. The large suspension pin was no trouble because I'd removed it only 12 months earlier. The handbrake cable mechanism was awkward because it has corroded in to the hub. Also the new CV Boot clip 'bump' always seemed to align itself with one of the bolts meaning it had to come off again, and again.

If I have to replace either of the CV boots on the other side I'll swap the half shafts round, as this should increase the CV joint life expectancy quite significantly, but because of space issues it's not easy for me to work on both sides at the same time. I've now replaced three out of four ABS sensors, if my ABS now works then it will definitely all be worthwhile, I'll find out later today.

I did take one break for dinner, but the 14.5 hours didn't didn't allow for 30 minutes looking for my house keys when I'd tidied everything up, which I eventually found wrapped in newspaper in the my wastebin.

 

You probably beat my time as the 'borrowed' spring compressor I had wasn't up to the job so the car sat in the garage for a week disassembled while I worked out of town.

One good set of heavy duty compressors later and a good day it was all back together. As Garth mentions gravity is not your friend so it helps to have a helping hand guide the assembled units.

BTDT Paul, many years ago but those working conditions you have just plain suck...........a warm well lit garage with good tools, a beer fridge, tunes, etc etc..........pure luxury for us gear heads.

 

Paul,

It's all quality time spent with your loved one (unless you have to do it outside in the cold, then any time is too long). I just recently spent 16 hours over three days doing a MM and pan gasket job that should probably have taken 10-12. (including three trips to the auto parts store in the process).

When you're standing on the side of a pit area and you're responsible for getting it done before the fuel tank is topped off, or when you're getting paid for it is when the time counts. Other than that, I wouldn't sweat it if it's done right.

 

Fronts took me two hours each and both rears done in one hour, ride height took two one hour sessions including driving time to settle.

 

I got you all beat. I'm slower than that. My motor mounts have been in the planning for a couple of years...still sitting in the box. Not sure I need them but I'm (eventually) going to replace them anyway. Sounds like it'll be a really fun job. The garage is not cold enough to start yet.

H2

 

I always take 6 months to get all of my work done to the car. I've had so much stuff apart two or three times that I'm getting good at R and R'ing it. It takes my 1-1/2 hours just to get the belly pan back on.

 

I can't believe I said that, and I found the post as well. So I guess I really should swap them now one of the boots on the other side has split. Oh well...

 

Only 4 years later