Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Replacing rear shocks with AVO on 4/4...HELP!

Folks,

I am struggling big time!

I treated myself to a pair of AVO/Rutherford adjustable shocks from Hearts of England and having a real battle to fit them.

I assumed they would be simple to fit.

Well, I tried a while back and was unsuccesful as ther appeared to be no clearance between the chassis and where the rear hand brake cable enters the back plate causing a 'pinch point'. I was advised to detach the handbrake cable from the suspension hoop, but no success.

I tried jacking the axle first, and then the body (letting axle drop) but still no joy. Now I have removed the suspension hoop (where the top of the shocks attach) thinking that would give me slightly more clearance but no!!

How on earth do these fit on to the bottom hanger? The car is a 2002 4/4 (although it is a Le Mans 62 I am not aware that the axle / chassis is any different from a standard 4/4).

The sun is shining and the car is on axle stands

Hi, try ringing tim ayres, he will know for sure how to fit them. michael

Keith,
I did mine a while ago. I seem to remember they were a pig to fit.

I am pretty sure I supported the chassis and let the axle drop.
I then needed a rubber mallet to move the old ones.

Space was tight but I don't remember there being anything blocking the lower end.

Thanks John,

Spoke to NewElms (Tim wasn't there) but they suggested the same a little bit of force required!

I'll give it a go!

Keith,
I think I lowered rear axle till the shocks were fully extended. Supported the axle of a jack & then knocked one side off replaced & repeated the exercise.

IIRC when I did this I jacked the car then supported the chassis with axle stands. Then used the jack to increase the clearance between axle and chassis. Or something like that!

Nigel

I also left a spanner on the fule tank but as that is generously covered in wax oyl I found it still there 9 months later stuck in the wax.

It prooves you really should take your time & double check everything.

EXACTLY....after trying again with some conviction as I knew that they would fit (after the call with NewElms) I decided to revisit the axle position. After trying to raise the axle with the hydraulic trolley jack (car already on axle stands) and realised that it was raising the whole car again I decided that maybe some ballast in the drivers seat might assist (so SWMBO was summoned to see if she knew anyone only to be told that she was otherwise occupied and available in a 'short while') I decided to give it another couple of lifts without said 'ballast' and yes the axle did move up allowing plenty of room to slide on the shock........damn, all that wasted time and removing all the suspension hoop.

Oh well a little bit more of the car I now know intimately!

P.S. TOP TIP when you have removed the top securing bolts for the shocks from the suspension hoop ensure they are repositioned after jiggling, fighting and refitting with the 8 nut & bolts holding the assembly onto the chassis . . . otherwise you have to take them all off again and fit them and replace the hoop again

NOW any tips on the settings, I believe I read somewhere to use the lowest setting, but open to any feedback.

Or you don't corner hard enough

I doubt that. But maybe I should try harder.