out and about in sunny Dorset and something is leaking. Drivers side shock has fluid on it so looks like a front shock has gone/going. Clumping sound when it bottoms out.
Just wanted some advise on whether it's something to get done immediately or in the near future, presume it's safe to drive?
Cheers in advance.
Front shock leak
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Simon Jones
- Supreme Being
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- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
- Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire
Re: Front shock leak
It'll need doing before next MOT as it will be a failure point but do it sooner rather than later as it will affect the handling. Always replace shocks (and springs for that matter) in pairs. I bought the rears from this supplier and you get a bonus free set of filters too: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-1 ... 58c249eba1
Re: Front shock leak
Thanks for the Advise. Easy enough to fit without specialist tools?
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Simon Jones
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 9341
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
- Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire
Re: Front shock leak
Rears are easy but for the front you'll need a set of spring compressors (about £15 from Screwfix) and you may need to have the wheel alignment checked as the geometry may be adrift once the hubs have been refitted. I've not done the job myself but I'm sure someone who has will be along soon with further advice.
Re: Front shock leak
Quite easy to do.
Spend some time beforehand with penetrating fluid. There is one quite large nut which you might have to buy a socket for (use hex socket not multi face variety which might end up damaging the nut). I took the van to a friend with a rattle gun and loosened, then hand tightened, everything I could a couple of days beforehand.
Combine it with replacing the drop links and save time by angle grinding the old ones off, you''ll never undo the if they've been on for long.
I took the removed strut with the spring on to my local jobbing garage and he put the spring back on the new one for the cost of a drink. Went to the cafe for lunch while he did it. job ran from about 11 am until under 30minutes after getting the assembly back from having the spring changed.
To be on the safe side order new rubber gaiters in case the old ones are damaged or get torn during removal.
I found that I needed the Bongo jack, a bottle jack and an axle stand but can't recall exactly how I deployed them.
Two people makes it easier to locate the top fixings above the wheel arches on final reassembly.
Frank
Spend some time beforehand with penetrating fluid. There is one quite large nut which you might have to buy a socket for (use hex socket not multi face variety which might end up damaging the nut). I took the van to a friend with a rattle gun and loosened, then hand tightened, everything I could a couple of days beforehand.
Combine it with replacing the drop links and save time by angle grinding the old ones off, you''ll never undo the if they've been on for long.
I took the removed strut with the spring on to my local jobbing garage and he put the spring back on the new one for the cost of a drink. Went to the cafe for lunch while he did it. job ran from about 11 am until under 30minutes after getting the assembly back from having the spring changed.
To be on the safe side order new rubber gaiters in case the old ones are damaged or get torn during removal.
I found that I needed the Bongo jack, a bottle jack and an axle stand but can't recall exactly how I deployed them.
Two people makes it easier to locate the top fixings above the wheel arches on final reassembly.
Frank
My schoolmates idolised Biggles, I wanted to be Alcock & Brown
They flew, I took up naturism
They flew, I took up naturism