how do i replace my shocks?

[cheethamz17]

hey just bought front and rear shocks for my 1997 vt 's' pack commodore. need some help on how to attempt this. have my dad to help who has done it before on an eb falcon but thinking they are different types? um anyone who could walk me through it and advise me on tools that i will need or anyone who can link me to this topic would be great thanks

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

VX VU:- How to change shocks and springs I found this but I reckon it should be removed as a sticky because it is all kinds of wrong. But it does serve as an example of how NOT to do it.

Before you jack the front up undo the top nut under the plastic cap. Remove the metal plate under that. Loosen the next nut under the plate, it is easier to loosen this nut with the weight on it. With that nut loose, refit the plate and put the top nut back on a few turns to stop the strut from falling out when you jack the car up.

Jack the front up and support with stands, remove the wheel and undo the sway bar link. Pull the brake hose out of the bracket on the strut by rotating it a bit to line up the flat spots on the plastic grommet with the opening in the bracket. (You will understand that bit when you do it.)

Next, remove the two nuts from the bolts that hold the strut to the stub axle. It may be necessary to remove the lower caliper bolt to get the strut mount bolt out. Then remove the strut assembly from the car.

You will need spring compressors (to appease the nanny state safety sam types on here) to compress the spring to remove the top nut. Take special care when removint the top mount as it has a bearing in it that can come apart and spill 22 billion little ball bearings everywhere (OK, no 22 billion, but lots and lots). Also take note of the order and orientation of the components, namely the washers, as they are dished and go in a certain way.

Remove the spring and throw the old strut at the nosey neighbour and refit it all in the reverse order. When fitting the assembly back into the car, hold it up inside the strut tower and fit the large metal plate and loosely fit the nut to hold it in place while you reassemble the lower parts. Do not tighten the top nut yet as it is easier to give them a final tighten with the car on the ground. Once the wheels are back on and on the ground, remove the top nut and plate, tighten the nut under it and refit the plate and tighten the top nut.

The rears are easy, jack the rear up, undo the lower mount and the top mount inside the boot. Thats it for them. Jack the rear up under the control arm though, not the body as you don't want the suspension hanging.