Well the deed is done the new rod is in place. It took under 2 hrs. The worst bit is trying to thread the top nut as access is difficlut. In the end I took the front damper off . I decided I didn't want to jack the car without some tension in place on the cross head.
When the car is jacked up access is easy.
I used a small camera tripod mounted on a block to rest to the underside of the lower cross head. The tripod camera screw just kissed the bar and when the bar was jacked up at the far end it showed the gap to compare to the nearest jack stand. I also compared the new side to the other & the lift was the same i.e. simultaneous at the stand & the tripod.
Whilst under there I also did the usual spanner check.
Top bodging tip
Flushed with succes I decided to paint the new rod is hammerite black before using underseal.
If your tin of Hammerite is part used & has a thick skin where is has dried beware. If the screw driver you are using to break that skin bounces off try cutting it.
Don't give it a harder thump with the screw driver as you will pierce the tin bottom & discover that a few minutes later when you see a lake of paint. It is a good job the garage tiles are black.
