So a couple of weeks ago I parked up my ‘57 plate 100,000 mile L322 on the drive and noticed an ominous hissing sound from behind the offside front wheel. After researching a few threads on here and consulting the Wiki I concluded it was likely an air bag. Ringing around the usual suspects I ordered a pair of OEM strut assemblies from Island 4x4.
Today I got stuck into the job of replacing the leaking bag. Despite intermittent rain and having to work on the drive I soldiered on and I’m pleased to report all went smoothly and she’s now hiss free.
Took me a little over two hours to do one side with the car supported on axle stands. Oh and I found I was able to do the offside front without removing the inner wheel arch liner as I was able to depressurise the system with the IId tool.
It’s not the most difficult of jobs involving just six bolts in total, but breaking those big 22mm nuts off the bottom of the strut took some medium cursing & swearing even with a three foot breaker bar. Mine had been soaking in WD40 since last weekend and I’m sure that helped to break the 184 ft/lbs of torque. The bolts came out quite easily with only mild persuasion necessary.
I would have gone on to do the near side but it looks like my local Kwikfit chimps have mashed up two of my wheel nuts to the point where I think I’ll need to replace them once I’ve got them off. What is the idea of those soft aluminium covers?

Quote:

What is the idea of those soft aluminium covers?

Protects the wheelnut spanner from over enthusiasm.

It's satisfying once done & big relief once those nuts come undone