Boots for the shocks...

[Stig]

One or 2 of the boots on my shocks are past it, so I'd like to fit 4 new ones.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id/358
Is there much to it? One man job or would help be usefull?
Also, my shocks are Bilsteins, will there boots fit them ok?

Thanks,

O

[Steve]

Should be handy enough, have you removed/fitted shocks before?

[Stig]

Should be handy enough, have you removed/fitted shocks before?

Nope......

[Steve]

meh, its not difficult, do the usual "put car up in the air and remove wheels" stuff.
Fronts :
Disconnect antiroll bar links
loosen anti roll bar bracket bolts about halfway.
remove big bottom bolt on shock
remove small nuts on shock in engine bay (one either side of the "hole")
still in the engine bay, loosen (DON'T remove) the center bolt in the hole
remove Upper control arm bolt (big long one, usually comes out v.easily).

Then you should be able to push down/stand on the lower control arm and lift out the shock+ spring.
Put spring compressors on and undo top nut to remove spring from shock. I hate this bit.. the potential for tears is high with the compressed spring. Put your boot on the shock and reassemble.

For the rears :
remove the 2 top small nuts and loosen the middle nut on the shock tops in the boot (you'll need to remove the spare and the metal plate at the back of the boot to see them.).
undo antiroll bar end links
remove big bolt on shock bottom
remove bolt holding upper and lower control arms together
I used to put the (stock) sissors jack between the upper arm and the body (it fits perfectly) and then jack down the suspension but I've seen since where someone stood down on the lower arm quickly and popped out the bottom first.. no harm in trying..

The rest is the same as the fronts for changing the boots/reassembly. Don't forget to put the really thin silicone gasket between the body and the shock top when reassembling (this'll avoid lots of squeaks!).

Give me a shout on the phone if you get stuck at any stage.

[leamyj]

Ollie, let me know when you're doing this..I'll drop down if at all possible.

[Stig]

@ John, Thanks for the offer J!
@Steve, I posed the same question over on nutz and I'm getting a "why bother vibe" - thoughts?

[Steve]

Its a lot of work for little (if any) return alright..

[AClarke]

I had an 'advisory' on my last NCT because of a torn boot....
the tester said if it wasnt fixed - would fail the next NCT for certain.