It looks like I need to replace the rear shock absorbers on my cobalt blue
'86 XJ6. The invaluable Parts Interchange Guide recommends the Boge parts,
which JagBits has for $61 a piece. I was “shocked” to find I need four of
them. My question is: is this a suitable project for a shade-tree
mechanic? How hard is it to compress the springs and get the buggers out?
All I have is a jack and some jack stands. Or do I have to visit my local
professional and pay full retail ($90!!) ??
It looks like I need to replace the rear shock absorbers on my cobalt blue
'86 XJ6. The invaluable Parts Interchange Guide recommends the Boge parts,
which JagBits has for $61 a piece. I was “shocked” to find I need four of
them. My question is: is this a suitable project for a shade-tree
mechanic? How hard is it to compress the springs and get the buggers out?
All I have is a jack and some jack stands. Or do I have to visit my local
professional and pay full retail ($90!!) ??
You need a not-too extensive collection of tools (ring spanners, socket set)
AND a spring compressor. The four spring/shocks come out as units, so you
get the springs off at the workbench. Spring compressors cost about �20 UK.
If you try to use makeshift kit to get them separated, you will wind up in
hospital with damage to some soft parts, and possible hard parts too.
Watch that one of the top bolts has a funny washer and spring under it. the
sping is used to support the handbrake cable.
It looks like I need to replace the rear shock absorbers on my cobalt blue
'86 XJ6. The invaluable Parts Interchange Guide recommends the Boge parts,
which JagBits has for $61 a piece. I was “shocked” to find I need four of
them. My question is: is this a suitable project for a shade-tree
mechanic? How hard is it to compress the springs and get the buggers out?
All I have is a jack and some jack stands. Or do I have to visit my local
professional and pay full retail ($90!!) ??
My question is: is this a suitable project for a shade-tree
mechanic? How hard is it to compress the springs and get the buggers out?
All I have is a jack and some jack stands. Or do I have to visit my local
professional and pay full retail ($90!!) ??
Hi Harold.
It’s certainly doable by the home mechanic, but after you get the
old shocks off, I would take all of the shocks to a professional to
have the springs taken off of the old shocks and placed on the new
shocks. You can rent a spring compressor and do it yourself, but any
minor accident with compressed car springs can have major
consequences. Pay the $30 and have someone else do it.
or spend $45 on a set of spring compressors and have the tools forever!
Certainly worthwhile from a fiscal perspective, but I would hesitate
to recommend that to a person with limited mechanical skills. The
risks (to someone who doesn’t do this regularly) far outweigh the
$15.
I just did this and it was VERY easy. My jag mech. quoted four hours
labor…I was able to do it in under four. You do NOT need to compress the
springs to remove the shocks, the assembly comes out as a unit. Rent two
spring compressors from your local rental place. Do the shock swap on the
bench and then replace. Really pretty straight forward. Pay attention to
how the spacers came out on the lower carriage bolt, and make sure you put
them back in the right order. The new Boge shocks didn’t come with the
sleeve for the upper bolt. Remember to put them in from the old shocks
before you mount them. One more note - the new Boge shocks are upgraded to
gas…at first they are going to feel a little stiff, mine started feeling
good after a couple hundred miles and made my steering feel a lot more
responsive.
…
Watch that one of the top bolts has a funny washer and spring under it. the
sping is used to support the handbrake cable. …
Also, my version of the manual takes no account of the
tie-down brackets. They’re held in place on the rear of the
shaft carrying the lower shocker mountings. You have to
move the bracket out of the way, by moving the shaft
forwards, before you can drift it back to get the shock
off. If you miss this point, you spend a happy hour
beating the shaft with a drift until the bracket bends!
You can get rear and front shocks from
Advantage Auto, if there is one in your area.
They are gas filled with lifetime warranty,
rears are $44 each and fronts $24. Also Parts
America will “loan” you a spring compressor,
You pay about $47 then when it is returned
they will give you a refund. I sprayed the
bolts with PB Blaster and after being on my
'86 XJ6, twelve years, they all came off with
no problem. Just replaced all six shocks
about 2 weeks ago and it was a breeze…
Hope you haven’t done the job yet, this might
save you a few coins.
Bruce Beckman writes: <You can get rear and front shocks from
Advantage Auto . . .
Where is Advantage Auto, what brand shock, and how are they?
Regards to the forum.
James
'86@76K
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The rear shocks (standard) on my '93 XJ40, which is just approaching 90K,
are shot and I have two questions:
How do you know if the springs are gone also? Or at 90K do you just go
ahead and replace them anyway?.
Aside from the shocks and springs is there anything else I’m going to
encounter while I’m down there that I’m going to kick mysel for not ordering
and or replacing? (i.e.bushings, etc.).
Actually, I guess that’s three questions.
Tim
(knuckles already bloody from fixing door handles - so might as well keep
going!)
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
P.S. You guys (and gals) are the most helpful group of people I’ve ever run
across - bar none.
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The archives and FAQ will answer many queries on the XJ series…
FAQs: http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/xjfaq/xjfaq.html
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I got my replacement rear shocks and springs a week ago. I’m
still waiting on my spring compressor.
Top of the line Bilstein shocks! Cost a fortune. Never going
to spend on shocks like this again. There is a sticker on it
saying it was tested on the Nuremberg Ring with a little map
of the ring on it
Is there any magic involved in installing these things or is
it as straight forward as it looks?
I have an 87 XJ6 in need of rear shocks But can’t find anything on how to remove and re-install the coil springs. I have read the blog but looking for a video if there is one. Can’t find one on You Tube for the 71-87 XJ6 models or even XJS.
Boge is the OE replacement and that’s a great price. Also, I’m pretty sure at that price the springs aren’t included; meaning you’ll have to get the springs off the old shocks and onto the new.
if the rear end is still on the car, This is a tedious process especially getting at the top mounts bolts - their all 5/8" btw. tools. a 5/8" combination spanner / end wrench & a 5/8 socket ratchet to get the shocks out, Spring compressor Yes. one that pulls the spring down evenly on both sides not like the one in my video. Not one of my finer moments.
Check out my YouTube video how NOT to replace the springs. I do have a potty mouth and in appropriate humor - and can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Consider your self warned.
The installation is in the following video. Shocking U-Joint coneage Madona Style It was late, I was getting a bit punchy. Don’t juge me (please). This video addresses the u-joint covers and after that the shock installation. The IRS is out of the car which makes the process a while lot easier. I’m not suggesting you drop the IRS cage to get at the shocks by any stretch.
I do however, highly recommend getting at least one scissor jack from your local salvage yard/breakers yard (depending on where you live) their cheap $5.00. place the scissor jack under the carrier to hold it up and in position while you unbolt the shocks. The shocks and springs DO hold / locate the halfshaft and the lower wish bone which has a bit of gravity to it. If there isn’t any load on the bolts, they should slide right out. If you have to beat on the bolts then there’s still a load on the shock and springs.
In the video, I replaced with KYB gas adjust. I’m not too thrilled on how the springs go back on.
as mentioned at the end of the video. SNGBarratt does sell the complete Boge shock and spring preassembled; which will be a safer way to go.
Anyway, watch the video you’ll have a good idea of what you’re up against. After watching the video, I will happy to answer any of your questions.
