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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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REPLACEMENT OF LEFT FRONT AIR STRUT ASSEMBLY... |
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Are there threads showing how this is done? I saw an online video showing this; it looked like the first time for him, with a few surprises!
I would tackle this myself, if it didn't take all day and a boatload of cussing!
I had my right front strut replaced about 6 months ago; it costed about $1000. The part is on sale at British Atlantic for about $300. Is it a reasonable DIY???
Thanks in advance!!!
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21st Jan 2019 4:46 am |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396
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I changed all four of mine in a day taking my time and stopping for plenty of tea & pee breaks.
IIRC the hardest part was releasing the airline feed (12mm again IIRC) - I just cut an old 12mm spanner down to fit in the small gap.
I didn't have any specialist equipment and de-pressurised the struts by very slowly undoing the airline feed.
A set of flexi-head ratchet spanners would help with the top nuts but I just took my time and used a normal wrench.
Pretty sure there'll be a guide somewhere on here. I see no ships........
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21st Jan 2019 11:13 am |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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Thanks, Spider!
You seem to have the patience for the job. Did you have to re-calibrate the system, or is there a certain way to return the air system back to normal???
Dan
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21st Jan 2019 6:33 pm |
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sputnixb51
Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Morayshire
Posts: 833
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You are not changing the suspension geometry by removing the strut or shouldn’t be. So when you have a new one back in and start up it will just inflate and hopefully have sorted your original problem.
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21st Jan 2019 6:39 pm |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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Thanks, Sputnix!
I saw another video from Britparts. I've gotten some chassis fasteners from them, but don't have any experience with them. Have their videos been helpful for others???
Dan
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21st Jan 2019 7:23 pm |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396
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I didn't need to recalibrate and simply let the compressor do its job once I'd finished. It really is quite straight forward.
I've looked through some of the Britpart and Atlantic British (and other) videos. They are all helpful - even (especially?) the ones where they get things wrong - they help you avoid the same mistakes.
I see no ships........
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21st Jan 2019 9:00 pm |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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Agreed!
There were a couple of videos that showed releasing air from the valve block (located in the front right wheel well) before removing the strut(s). I didn't see that in the Brit Parts video. Could this be done slowly from the strut itself, or is it necessary to do it at the valve block?
Dan
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22nd Jan 2019 6:56 pm |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1396
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I did mine by slowly releasing the air feed pipe (green pipe IIRC) - this is where I needed a stubby (aka cut down...) 12mm spanner.
It's a bit of a slow job - but while it was de pressurising I had a brew
Make sure you clean any muck off the top and around the air line - no sense in giving dirt a chance to get anywhere it shouldn't. I see no ships........
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23rd Jan 2019 12:20 pm |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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Thanks, SpiderBaby!
I appreciate your insights, in addition to the brewski!! 8)
Dan
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24th Jan 2019 6:22 pm |
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yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372
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Don’t be worrying
Just take it a step at a time it’s pretty self explanatory as you go along
One big nut & bolt
3small fiddlers
One air pipe which just pushes in
Done all four in a morning
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24th Jan 2019 7:12 pm |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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NICE!!! 8)
The strut is on it's way!
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24th Jan 2019 7:18 pm |
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yogi972
Member Since: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Kineton
Posts: 3372
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You’ll be fine
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24th Jan 2019 7:32 pm |
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DJAtkinson
Member Since: 16 Apr 2018
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 15
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Just an update on my project:
I've noticed that 'projects' posted on U-tube seem to be a lot easier than they are in reality!
A few of the 'real world' challenges that I experienced (maybe my LR3 is unique??)
--One U-tube poster suggested relieving the air from the valve block under the passenger-side wheel well cover. It was a bit more involved than 'just a few little screws'. Depending on how much room you need to access the valve block, you'll need to pop out (and get replacements for) the fasteners that are used to secure and tighten the wheel well cover.
--This same poster suggested removing the heat shield above the strut to get better access to the 15mm nut closest to the engine, which is very hard to access. This is a helpful hint. However, I lost my grip on the nut, and it fell somewhere into the frame, never to be found again!
--The most difficult part came when I had to re-connect the air line to the strut. The line had a bend in it, which complicated an already difficult access. I finally resolved to cut the portion that was curved, so that I wasn't simultaneously trying to straighten it and insert it. There was no direct vision, and this was done by feel only. I had to pry away the wheel well cover on this side also, to access the air line, and remove it from the clip that holds it in place, in order to give me a little more length to work with.
In summary, I can understand why people have shops do this. In my case, it just seems like there's always that unexpected thing or two that presents itself to me...
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17th Feb 2019 12:45 pm |
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