had a deadly week at work so decided to fit the konis i have in the shed to my orion. so, i dragged the trolley jack out, axle stands, socket set, various bars and spanners, hammer etc.

jack it up axle stand underneath, wheel off, bonnet open.

19mm spanner on the top nut, 8mm on top, pull.... snap. the fucking top sheared off the shock

tried for an hour to free it, had penetrating fluid on it, tried shocking it loose, mole grips in the underneath, putting the weight back on it, everything i could think of, but nothing. now i've got oil leaking out of it all over my inner wing and its like a fucking water pistol squirting oil over my engine whenever theres any rebound on the shock.

Jesus nothing is ever fucking simple. i wouldn't mind but they've been on the car (this time) for less than 17 months and they're fucked, i cant even replace the bastards without them giving me a final kick in the bollocks

i was going to give it some love today aswell, wash and polish and plish the shiny stuff inder the bonnet but i had to leave my tools outside for over an hour cos i wanted to kick the damm thing afterwards which i would've then regretted more.

 

i hate those days mate, if something can go wrong.... it will

if it has tits or tyres you will have problems

 

i hav also rounded the 8mm or 9mm nut of my drivers side koni and i was wondering how to get the bloody thing off

 

i wont touch suspension unless i've got my air tools to hand! otherwise you end up with something like your haveing to deal with now!

 

Never had that much of a problem before, i must've changed 10 sets on mk4 escorts alone over the years. i've always managed to get it free one way or another.

Sorted now anyway
drove it across the road to kwik fit this morning and my mate who conviniently work there now buzzed it off with his trick snap on gun. top piece of kit but top price to go with it

anyways its loose and waiting until i can be arsed to look at it again to swap them over. i just hope i dont have a similar prob with the rears.

 

I love messing with my Xr3i, but no a mechanic who is possibly the cheapest in the world haa so id rather take it to him then face a headache myself....plus he has the right tools haa