Front o/s Shock Absorber Problems

[jag]

Hi again to all,

I seem to have another problem on my espace, the other day I took it in to have the tracking done after having the steering ends and track rod ends replaced.
The chap who did the tracking is a good family friend of ours, he has informed me that the drivers side front shocker is u/s and needs replacing. when I am driving on a smooth surface it's not too bad , but on a rough road the front end is all over the place. He informs me that it is a pig of a job, not that he has offered to do it.
I have just priced up the cost of a pair of front shockers, they are about £140-150.
Just wondered if anyone has done this job and whether it is worth attempting at home. Or how many hours labour approx would it take.

Many Thanks Jag

[Anders Dinsen]

It's not that bad on the Espace JE. It shouldn't take a trained mechanic more than a few hours. I don't know about you, but I take it slow when working on my cars - I'd allocate a day for the job if I was to do it myself. But if you have the experience, tools, time etc, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't attempt doing it at home.

While you're at it, replace the top strut bearings too!

/Anders

[renaultbiler]

It is very easy as Anders say, estimated 30 min to take out one, then you need to transplant the spring to the new one and do use new bearings! Access to top mounts is through engine compartment where the pollen filter is located on each side (remove the 2 covers with each 4 x Torx bolts).

But do not replace one chock absorber, replace in pairs!

[jack daniels]

SKF part nr. VKDA 35620T is a set with 2 bearings (item 1 below ) for under the springs and 2 top bushings ( item 6 below ) for on top of the springs
SKF part nr. VKDP 32601T is a set of two anti-bottoming out bushes (item 4 below) to slip over the shock absorber pistons and two boots ( item 5 below )
KYB also have these rubber items
KYB part nr. for front shocks is: 334821

incidentally the figures in blue on the diagram are the required torque values in deca Nm., i.e the wheelnut is 100Nm.