Front MacPherson Struts 2008 Pajero LWB Diesel
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:22 pm
Hi all,
I had my front shocks checked and was told they are fine. Since then I developed a 'squeak' (more like a frog with a sore throat) from the front right wheel. Inspecting the suspension there the upper rubber 'boot' (damper') has broken off and is riding up and down the shock piston it seems.
Just after I purchased the Paj second hand I had the rubber 'mats' on the front coils replaced by a tyre company as they were quite badly freyed. The tyre place that did it had to send the struts out to an engineering company for the springs to be removed because, they said, their spring compressor couldn't handle them.
Anyway, back to today. A new rubber damper for the suspension costs ± R370 but Mitsu's new hourly rate is just shy of R1,000 per hour
and it's a 1 1/2 hour job to remove a strut and replace. Ergo R1,500 labour to replace a R370 part.
So I thought I might do the job myself, especially as I might have to do other repairs in future - like changing the shocks - and the cost of maintenance these days. Seems it's not too difficult to remove the front strut but finding the right spring compressor (in light of what the tyre company said) might be problematic - especially since it's apparently possible to cause oneself injury doing it.
Anyone done this job themselves and how difficult is it to do?
Alternatively, a reliable, cost effective shop that can do this in Cape Town (pref Southern suburbs).
Many thanks.
I had my front shocks checked and was told they are fine. Since then I developed a 'squeak' (more like a frog with a sore throat) from the front right wheel. Inspecting the suspension there the upper rubber 'boot' (damper') has broken off and is riding up and down the shock piston it seems.
Just after I purchased the Paj second hand I had the rubber 'mats' on the front coils replaced by a tyre company as they were quite badly freyed. The tyre place that did it had to send the struts out to an engineering company for the springs to be removed because, they said, their spring compressor couldn't handle them.
Anyway, back to today. A new rubber damper for the suspension costs ± R370 but Mitsu's new hourly rate is just shy of R1,000 per hour
and it's a 1 1/2 hour job to remove a strut and replace. Ergo R1,500 labour to replace a R370 part.So I thought I might do the job myself, especially as I might have to do other repairs in future - like changing the shocks - and the cost of maintenance these days. Seems it's not too difficult to remove the front strut but finding the right spring compressor (in light of what the tyre company said) might be problematic - especially since it's apparently possible to cause oneself injury doing it.
Anyone done this job themselves and how difficult is it to do?
Alternatively, a reliable, cost effective shop that can do this in Cape Town (pref Southern suburbs).
Many thanks.