How hard is this job for a novice with BASIC tools? I have an 01 with IRS. Are there any issues I should be worried about? thanks
installing shocks, struts, and springs advice
- Thread starter wyldechild54
- Start date
Not too hard. I just changed my springs,struts and ball joint in the garage with the basics. Had to rent a tool for the ball joints but was able to install the front springs without spring compressors. A good socket set and some wrenches are all you need. ( I actually used my air tools on some nuts but wasnt necessary). Ive done the rears before but on a lift. tuesday I'll do the rear and hope I dont need to rent anything.
Front springs aren't to bad. In the back I had to use aspiring compressor. Shocks are simple. But front struts can be Bitch cause stock ones have a slit for a screwdriver at the top to hold the strut still while u in bolt it if u can zip it off with an impact gun it is easier. Or what I do is take my chisel and attach vice grips to it while a friend holds that I unscrew the nut
Easy, make sure you disconnect the exhaust from the hangers when you do the rears.
All metric. Make sure you have 18, 23, and 24 Metric sized deep wells. I would rent a spring compressor just in case you run into any snags. My first time I for sure needed a spring compressor, but the later times I didn't (cut more and more off ;D). Go to American Muscle.com and click on a Cobra Spring link and go to the install instructions. YouTube might have them I dunno. It's not too hard for the most part. Just tighten everything to German torque specs--guten tight!
Make sure you put loc-tite on the lower 4 strut bolts. Also torque them to 150 ft-lbs. Otherwise, there's a good chance they might fall out going down the road; just ask me how I know.
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I should be starting shortly. Something will most likely go wrong so I will keep you guys posted.
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