hi,i have new springs(shorter)and blocks coming from here,and i wondered if there is an idiots guide to draining and refilling my standard shocks(im limited in knowledge,a new driver)thanks in advance.
cheers carlyle

FilthyJohn is the man to talk to on that....But share the knowledge, as I'm planning on doing it when i get back living somewhere with a garage!

It's a bit of a large job as you have to remove the front legs entirely, so good idea to do it while you're changing springs. Removal's covered pretty well in the haynes, can't remember how detailed it is about damper rebuilding though. You'll need spring compressors to get the springs off safely. Essentially there's just a big nut holding the damper in the leg, you'll see it when you remove the dust boot. You have to undo this (I used massive adjustable pliers), then you can withdraw the damper assembly. Drain the oil by tipping the strut upside down, then fill it back up (anyone know how much to put in? I think I just put loads in and let the damper displace the excess ) with heavier oil. I used 10/40 but it's too thin still. Many report good results with 80W diff oil.

Yeah as John says it's covered quite well in the Haynes.

However they say undo the ARB, blah blah etc.

Waste of time, loosen the top nut, pop the ball joints out, undo 3 bolts holding it in, then lever the bottom suspension arm out the way, you don't need to take the ARB off.

Again as John said a big old pair of grips will get the nut undone on the shocks to drain the oil, i know because i just did mine at the weekend, but replaced mine with sealed units. See my thread in General section, shows some of the work, but not all of it.

Inserts are best, the original units are rubbish and don't last. I used to use Monreo Gas, very good VFM guaranteed for life, not sure if they are still available.

To get the main bolt off also helpful is to bolt the strut back into the wheel and stand on the wheel while its face down on the ground.