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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black
Front struts and springs DIY replacement, newbie questionsâ€

Hi gents, I had the offside front coil spring break recently so figured what the hey, may as well replace the struts while I’m at it.

I put in an order for full front end KYB shocks and springs with a company which I hadn’t realised wasn’t U.K based (starts with A, rhymes with sock) so waited bloody ages for the parts to arrive, lesson learnt I guess.

Upon arrival the packaging was incredibly battered, whacking great hole in the bottom if the box where the collar of one of the struts had broken through, I know these units get a fair deal of abuse on the vehicle, should I be concerned about the rough handling they’ve had in transit?

Second point of concern is that one of the struts, (the one that had broken through the box) is definitely stiffer than the other, I’d have thought they’d need to be the same no?, could it be bent?

On further examination strut shafts have some very light zig zag scratches on their surfaces, is this likely to damage the seals?

I’ve been waiting ages now and just want to get the job done and sorted, I’m confident of the process got the tools, itching to go but as stated I have my concerns about the parts, like are these things normal an I’m just worrying about nothing?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Post #420811 29th Apr 2022 10:40 pm
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pinhead



Member Since: 12 Nov 2013
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 114

I would be worried about any physical damage (not paint scratched off) and also the fact one seems different to the other in terms of resistance
When testing the shocks are you holding them upright like they would sit in the car
And are the shocks adjustable? If so one may be set differently to the other

Post #420812 30th Apr 2022 6:10 am
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Bobupndown



Member Since: 26 Dec 2014
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United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 GS Auto Orkney Grey

Need to prime them both by compressing them several times. After doing that do they feel the same? Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

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Post #420813 30th Apr 2022 6:19 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

pinhead wrote:
I would be worried about any physical damage (not paint scratched off) and also the fact one seems different to the other in terms of resistance
When testing the shocks are you holding them upright like they would sit in the car
And are the shocks adjustable? If so one may be set differently to the other


The slight scratching I’m concerned about is to the shaft that slides in and out of the strut, I’m not massively bothered about the paint having rubbed off the collar.

I’m holding them upright when I compress them and there’s no sign of them being adjustable in any way I can see.

Thanks.

Post #420814 30th Apr 2022 6:48 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

Bobupndown wrote:
Need to prime them both by compressing them several times. After doing that do they feel the same?


I’ll give this a go, I’ve already done it a fair few times, what I’m finding is that when putting my full body weight behind compressing it, one takes about 5 seconds to fully compress and the other takes 6, they seem to return at the same rate.

Post #420815 30th Apr 2022 6:53 am
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Lightwater



Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
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Ukraine 2013 Freelander 2 2.0T SE Auto Fuji White

The shaft (piston) should be a nice shiny chrome finish. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

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Post #420816 30th Apr 2022 8:07 am
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Badger51



Member Since: 01 Mar 2014
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Australia 

I doubt a second difference will make any noticeable difference to 99.9% of drivers! (Now Sold). 2008 Freelander 2 (Nazca Sand) SE TD4 Auto. Statutory write off & on WOVR for hail damage but still road legal.
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Post #420817 30th Apr 2022 8:08 am
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SYFL2



Member Since: 16 Jun 2012
Location: Sheffield
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2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

Is there just me can’t get starts with A rhymes with sock ?

Post #420818 30th Apr 2022 8:08 am
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PRadd



Member Since: 09 Apr 2020
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United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 Dynamic Manual Santorini Black

Not just you SYFL2, if it started with R and rhymed with sock then I'd know - I imagine it may well be blindingly obvious but the "A" has me at as loss Rolling with laughter 2014 Freelander 2 TD4 Manual Dynamic
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Post #420824 30th Apr 2022 9:32 am
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NoDo$h



Member Since: 27 May 2008
Location: fings go booooom.
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England 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

Maybe German? The good Doctor of Autos.... Ok prices, questionable customer service, dire delivery

Coincidentally, German, begins with A, sounds like sock..Arschloch, vielleicht? Current driveway contents:
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Post #420825 30th Apr 2022 10:57 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

Lightwater wrote:
The shaft (piston) should be a nice shiny chrome finish.


It is, but there are some light scratches to the finish also.. I know that can make a difference on mtb shocks and destroy the much smaller seals over time but I didn’t know if it’s cause issues on something as hefty as a car strut?

Post #420828 30th Apr 2022 11:41 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

PRadd wrote:
Not just you SYFL2, if it started with R and rhymed with sock then I'd know - I imagine it may well be blindingly obvious but the "A" has me at as loss Rolling with laughter


Ok fair enough, it rhymes far better with ‘Autosock’, but as far as I’m aware that’s not an actual thing, though perhaps it should be? Laughing

Post #420829 30th Apr 2022 11:50 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

I suppose the reason I posted is I’m trying to figure out if I’m being unduly concerned by the issues I’ve described with the struts, are they Non-issues / within reasonable tolerances?

I don’t want to go complaining to the company and seeking a refund/return to Germany if there’s nothing to be concerned about.

Post #420830 30th Apr 2022 11:58 am
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

NoDo$h wrote:
Maybe German? The good Doctor of Autos.... Ok prices, questionable customer service, dire delivery

Coincidentally, German, begins with A, sounds like sock..Arschloch, vielleicht?



vielleicht, wir werden sehen. Rolling with laughter

Post #420831 30th Apr 2022 12:03 pm
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lowbrow



Member Since: 03 May 2021
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 65

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

Badger51 wrote:
I doubt a second difference will make any noticeable difference to 99.9% of drivers!


That’s a second difference with me (11st wet through) pushing down on it on my driveway, it’s the idea of a difference with 2 tonne of Freelander sat on it while driving in a spirited manner that has me concerned. Laughing

Post #420832 30th Apr 2022 12:11 pm
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