Thread: Help needed replacing springs

Hey guys, I'm going to be putting +2" springs in. I've done sedan, but jumped under my disco 1 and by the looks of it there is soo much more needed to do, there must be some kind of hints and tips out there? I've done search and found the following BUT that's for disco 2.

I changed my front springs and shockies today. I:
jacked the vehicle up.
Axel stands under the bullbar.
Wheels off.
Removed the ABS cable and brake line front the spring seat bracket.
Removed the through bolt at the top of the shock absorber.
Removed the lower bolt on the panhard rod.
Removed the lower bolts on the shock absober.
Stood on the wheel hub and pushed the diff down while jiggling the spring and shock absorber out.
Reverse procedure for fitting.

All up about two hours from start to pack up. Admittedly this is the third or fourth time I have done the front on a Discovery 2.

Note: I have a 2" spacer lift in addition to the spring lift, for someone without this you may have to also remove the front crossmember as the tailshaft can hit it.


How does that compare to disco 1?

just out of interest, I was told that spring spacers are illegal for on road driven 4WDs

Originally Posted by Marty110

just out of interest, I was told that spring spacers are illegal for on road driven 4WDs

I haven't heard that one. Disco 1s come standard with spring spacers in the rear.

Threads merged. There's no need for multiple threads asking the same question thanks.

Originally Posted by Marty110

just out of interest, I was told that spring spacers are illegal for on road driven 4WDs

Wheel spacers - yes but not spring spacers.
LR used to sell various thickness spring spacers to compensate for any lean that developed.

On my RRC
Jack up axle.
Place stands under flat part of chassis near crossmember
remove wheels
remove stabiliser bar chassis mount points( maybe not needed)
undo bottom shock mounts, rachet spanner is good
Undo 4X shock turret nuts
remove turret with shock in it
place spring compressor on spring while compressed with jack under axle, then let jack down sloooowly.
remove spring which should easily clear maybe needing just a bit of pressure on the axle or a screwdriver levering at the top mount..

When refitting spring be aware that the top mount will interfere with access to the nuts of the compressor. I find one at 1-2 o'clock, and one at about 8 o'clock on drivers side if 12oclock is nearest point to inner guard. of course you have to think about this before removing the spring.

Maybe its that I am old but I find it much easier than simultaneously jumping on the axle while trying to yank a spring out, which needs great contortion, causing cramps.
Regards Philip A

Everything is the same apart from the disconection of the brake lines and the stabaliser bar mounts. No need to do this.

I have done mine twice now on mt D1 and all up it takes about 3-4 hrs depending on how rusted on the bolts are..

I found it a lot easier to use a pair of stilsons to hold the front shocks while undoing the nuts.

Just make sure you put the new rear springs in the rear, sounds simple but i have made the mistake of puting them the wrong way around and its not fun doing the job a second time.

After you have done it, drive around for a day or so then recheck all the bolts are still tight.

No need for spring compressors ,place another jack between the axle and the chassis and just force it down till the spring slides in .
George
http://www.4x4wire.com/rover/disco/tech/ome/