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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 16:51 Post subject: L300 rear shocks replacement - where to buy? |
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Hello everybody!
On to the next issue with the bus now that the starting and heater are sorted out. :-)
I am in need of new shock absorbers on the back, the O/S one has completely sheared off its bracket!
I know there are a number of older posts on this (sorry) but I was wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere to buy them? Milners don't seem to have any in stock, and much of the suggestions from a few years ago now seem to be hard to find online?
There also are a bunch on fleabay but no idea whether any of those are any good?
Updated recommendations anyone?
Thanks! :-)
Jeroen |
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 16:51 Post subject: Google Ads keep this community free to join! |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 19:26 Post subject: |
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Which 'bracket' has sheared? According to Pink Pig's manual section 34, 4WD L300s have an eye with a bush at the top to fit onto a horizontal stud, and a vertical stud at the bottom which goes through a bracket welded to the axle at the bottom. Unfortunately, this is not the same as the L300 vans or Shoguns sold here, which had an eye at both ends. PP's manual gives full specs for the shockers but no part number, so you may have to take one off, and with the specs, compare it to others on line or at a local Monroe stockist or similar. _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 20:51 Post subject: |
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Yes that's right Andy, eye mount at the top and a vertical threaded pin at the bottom, which bolts onto the bracket on the axle with a couple of washers and bushes.
The shock "pin" at the bottom has actually snapped/sheared just above the top washer - so the shock mounting pin itself has failed. The bracket (on the axle) is fine, thankfully. Will post some photos tomorrow when I get the chance.
So the Monroe shocks are okay then? I've seen those on fleabay, with the right L300 4WD fitment - I think £80ish for a pair. Reasonable? |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 21:39 Post subject: |
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As long as they are genuine Monroe, and not some cheap fake. Have you found and checked their genuine website? _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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Lewis Site Admin
Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 16295 Location: Huddersfield
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 23:51 Post subject: |
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jejoenje wrote: |
Yes that's right Andy, eye mount at the top and a vertical threaded pin at the bottom, which bolts onto the bracket on the axle with a couple of washers and bushes. |
Is this what you are after - item 41422:-
Mitsubishi part number MB339213.
HTH _________________
Copyright is retained for all my photos. Please don't copy them without asking permission
Do not blindly go where the path may lead you. Go where there is no path and leave a trail that others may follow!
ルイス |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:39 Post subject: |
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That'll be the fella! Thanks Lewis. |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 21:36 Post subject: |
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So I've just ordered some Monroe rear shocks from Japanese 4x4 Spares; the seller I spotted on eBay but decided just to order off their website direct.
Anybody any tips on removing/replacing for L300 rear shocks? Looks straightforward enough to me but I guess you never know... are the top bolts easy enough to remove generally? Tips?
Will update when I come to try to fit them; hopefully next week weds/thurs.
Have a good weekend everyone! |
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Deker
Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 3833 Location: Borehamwood
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 20:28 Post subject: |
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jejoenje wrote: |
Anybody any tips on removing/replacing for L300 rear shocks? Looks straightforward enough to me but I guess you never know... are the top bolts easy enough to remove generally? Tips?
Will update when I come to try to fit them;
Have a good weekend everyone! |
Make sure the axle is jacked up.
Hopefully the new shocks will be supplied with rubbers and new nuts. Most do.
If the nuts are not supplied - Then be careful. - - - Take off the lower nuts first.
You can check that the top bolts will move, before undoing the lower nuts - BUT don't take them out - before undoing the lower nuts.
The nuts are usually a pig to get off. If new ones are supplied, you can grind off the old nuts.
Mr D |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 21:18 Post subject: |
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Wire brush both top and bottom mountings and soak with WD40 or Plus Gas and allow to penetrate for a couple of hours before trying to undo. As the bottom mount has broken off, it may be easier to cut through the stud above or below the bracket to remove it. Is the top mounting not a threaded stud welded to the chassis? If so, be careful not to snap it if the nut won't release. _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 14:13 Post subject: |
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Thanks chaps! Very useful.
Yes I was going to use lots of penetrating oil beforehand, perhaps just do a couple of treatments while I'm waiting for the new shocks to arrive. I'm pretty sure the new ones come with new bolts and rubbers- the pic seems to suggest so. I'm pretty sure I will need them, anyway.
Andy, yes, I think the top mount is a stud attached to the chassis but I'm not 100%. Will report back.
Thanks again for the tips! |
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BarefootBennett
Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Posts: 178 Location: Barnsley
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 18:02 Post subject: |
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Out of curiosity which shocks did you go for, and why ? |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 19:45 Post subject: |
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I went for a pair of Monroe shocks supplied by japanese4x4spares.co.uk, although I'm still waiting for delivery (hopefully by Weds, would like to try to fit before the weekend if I can).
To be truthful I did not really go for them other than having heard of the brand before; and Andy's suggestion above as well. I don't have many requirements for them as long as they work and don't significantly change the ride height of the truck. And given relatively limited obvious choice (at least my searches didn't come up with many alternatives - Milners did not seem to have any in stock), I just went for something that should fit.
I will report back on my experience with them as and when. |
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PinkPig Lifetime member
Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 2720 Location: Southampton, UK
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 14:21 Post subject: |
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So I got the new shocks in this morning. Probably only took an hour and a half for both, if that - surprisingly quick and easy although I had already got the broken one out completely before Christmas, just to make sure I could undo all the bolts. They were pretty seized but a bit of penetratring fluid and patience (not my strong point!) did the trick.
Re. the earlier comment - the new shocks did come with all rubbers for both top and bottom, as well as new washers and nuts, but not for the top one - I just re-used the old ones there as they were fine:
Pretty pleased with this! Now, it does appear that my front is sagging slightly, relative to the rear. Will investigate torsion bars next I think. Silly question, but would new shocks in the front actually affect ride height? |
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Lewis Site Admin
Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 16295 Location: Huddersfield
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 14:26 Post subject: |
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Those shocks will affect your ride neight as they are about 2" too short. _________________
Copyright is retained for all my photos. Please don't copy them without asking permission
Do not blindly go where the path may lead you. Go where there is no path and leave a trail that others may follow!
ルイス |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 14:43 Post subject: |
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I was told size isn't everything! Ooo-err!
I may go to some gas shocks in the future but for the time being I wanted something more or less stock... And I don't think my front should be as much lower? |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 18:16 Post subject: |
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Both front and rear llook to be the right height to me. Measure your hub centres to wheelarch distances and I'll let you know how they compare with mine. I have wound up my front heights by about 15mm on the torsion bar adjusters, and I reckon it is more nose down than yours. Your new shockers look like they were fully compressed, presumably for carriage. _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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Lewis Site Admin
Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 16295 Location: Huddersfield
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Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 21:11 Post subject: |
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Wouldn't matter if the shocks were compressed for transport, they should open out to their normal length as soon as they are unboxed. Those are a good two inch short of the originals. Look at the length of the shocker, not the mounting arm.
Plus, if they haven't opened out in the time it took to get them out of the box, put them side by side and take a photo then they are not usable on a vehicle, which needs them to recover from compression in time for the next pothole.
Here are photos of rear (non ECS) Ironman shocker and a OEM L400 side by side, both compressed and then fully expanded, which took about two seconds:-
_________________
Copyright is retained for all my photos. Please don't copy them without asking permission
Do not blindly go where the path may lead you. Go where there is no path and leave a trail that others may follow!
ルイス
Last edited by Lewis on Fri Dec 30, 2016 13:04; edited 1 time in total |
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andyman
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 5602 Location: Penrith
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:23 Post subject: |
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As photographed on the ground, the new shocker is in compressed state, - not enough free length to bounce. Surely the road spring provides the bounce back, and damping works in both directions? (Can't remember the last time I fitted a shocker that wasn't in a Macpherson strut). _________________ Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon! |
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jejoenje
Joined: 20 Aug 2016 Posts: 785 Location: Alloa, Scotland
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:54 Post subject: |
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Mmmh! Confused now! I'm entirely new to this so have I been silly?
The shocks just came in a box, not tied or restrained by anything... so they didn't expand much by themselves (I would have thought a cardboard box wouldn't have held them in then??). I was somewhat surprised by this, but I thought this would be a difference between gas shocks and oil ones?
In the end they did extend as much as the old ones but I basically had to help them along into the mounting holes.
I don't think the ride height in the back has changed at all from what it was with the old ones on, and I'm happy with that as it is. Also it feels good driving on the new ones... But do I have to worry with these new ones in if they didn't seem particularly "springy"?
My hub(center)-to-arch height is
Front 47 cm and rear 50 cm. |
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