Issue fitting New Shock & Coil

[JimOw]

Hi Guys,

Fried to fit some cooksport springs and new shocks today but had a bit of an issue. I haven't done anything like this before so followed a few guides but none of them seem to have the same issue.
Picture sort of shows the issue. The bottom of the shock is sitting far too low to be able to bolt the hub back onto the chassis.



I've not seen anyone else have this issue? I've tried using the spring compressors but I can't fit the shock whilst they are on, I can't bend the chassis down enough to bolt it all back together and I can't lift against the shock as it's stronger than I am!

Brakes are off as I'm changing Pads/Disks at the same time.

I'm hoping I've missed something obvious?!

Cheers,
James

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

I'm going to go with them being the wrong shocks. They have the wrong bolt spacing.

But then I could be wrong as I'm no expert to say the least.

 

[...]

The bottom bolt hole will swing down and into the right place to bolt the hub carrier up ?

 

[Tony Hunter]

You need to lever the wishbone down, have you split the bottom ball joint rubber, can't quite see from the picture.

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Am I on drugs here?

The top bolt on the strut is in so I don't see how the strut can be moved up anymore than it is?

Surely the bolt spacing on the strut is too wide?

Please feel free to shoot me down in flames here! lol

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Ignore me!!!

I just took another look at the pic.

I'm a fuckwit sorry!!!!!

 

[Tony Hunter]

Ignore me!!!

I just took another look at the pic.

I'm a f**kwit sorry!!!!!

​Stick to chasing Wombles.

 

[JimOw]

Ha Ron the space is fine .. the problem is that it can't swing down to line up.
If I line up the bolts then I can't lift the whole unit back up onto the lower ball joint.
If I put the unit above the ball joint then it's hittng the drive shaft so won't swing down .. it's as if the shock and spring need to be compressed but I can't work out how

 

[jonnyrobert]

Unbuilt the hub from the shock. Fasten ball joint into the hub. Use a bar to lever web against subframe and bolt the shock onto the hub

 

[jonnyrobert]

Lever anti roll bar

 

[JimOw]

You need to lever the wishbone down, have you split the bottom ball joint rubber, can't quite see from the picture.

I've tried Tony, but from what I could see this would require removing the ARB etc which I've never heard of anyone having to do before?

 

[Carlv8415]

You only put the top mount on by a couple oh threads to start. Then tilt the hub and pull down then the holes should line up. Then tighten top mounts.

 

[Gray]

Put a breaker bar between the wishbone and subframe to lever the hub down, this will allow the shock absorber to slot in place.

 

[Tony Hunter]

I've tried Tony, but from what I could see this would require removing the ARB etc which I've never heard of anyone having to do before?

No just lever it, it'll go.

 

[Carlv8415]

I've tried Tony, but from what I could see this would require removing the ARB etc which I've never heard of anyone having to do before?

Are both sides of the car jacked up ? If not then you will be fighting the ARB! If both wheels are off the ground the wheels will drop lower giving you the space you need.

 

[JimOw]

Ahh few things to try there, thanks folks!

 

[Tony Hunter]

Are both sides of the car jacked up ? If not then you will be fighting the ARB! If both wheels are off the ground the wheels will drop lower giving you the space you need.

Ah, because I used a ramp, I forget about that one. Silly old me.