Shocks and Struts?
#1
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Shocks and Struts?
I've just purchased 4 new EBC rotors and red stuff pads for thecar. 02, 49K miles, 3.0, auto.
I'm trying to decide if while I'm gonna do all this if I shouldn't put shocks and struts on her too. How hard is it to do them? Do I need some kinda compression tool for the struts? Can someone give me details? Directions?
I'm trying to decide if while I'm gonna do all this if I shouldn't put shocks and struts on her too. How hard is it to do them? Do I need some kinda compression tool for the struts? Can someone give me details? Directions?
#3
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#4
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RE: Shocks and Struts?
Yeah, I got the gold colored rotors they have. I'm trying to decide on wheels and tires right now. I'll probably go with 18's. But I just figured since I'll be taking each corner apart to do the rotors and paint calipers, etc... that maybe I should go for teh gusto and replace the shocks too.
Any idea if I can do that myself or do I need special tools? Can I do say the front in one afternoon and the rear in another?
Any idea if I can do that myself or do I need special tools? Can I do say the front in one afternoon and the rear in another?
#7
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#9
RE: Shocks and Struts?
Hose the bolts down with Twister or PB'laster a couple of days before going at it. It makes things a little easier. These cars tend to get rusty around the suspension bolts.
The front is a Machphearson design. Remove the whole strut and spring assembly from the upper mount and the lower balljoint. Once out of the car, use the spring compressor tool. Doing this when it's out of the vehicle and not in the fender well prevents damage in many many ways! You may need to actually remove the LCA or partially lower the front subframe to gain clearance for the front strut assemblies. I know it's kinda tight.
The rears are a multilink setup, so the springs should not need to be removed or compressed; the shocks simply unbolt.
Out of curiosity, why would you do struts at your mileage? Are you doing lowering springs or sport suspension? There is a substantial difference between removing the calipers to replace the brakes and removing the strut assemblies to do struts. It's a lot more work to do the latter. You are talking a couple of hours versus up to a full day if you run into rusty bolts.
The front is a Machphearson design. Remove the whole strut and spring assembly from the upper mount and the lower balljoint. Once out of the car, use the spring compressor tool. Doing this when it's out of the vehicle and not in the fender well prevents damage in many many ways! You may need to actually remove the LCA or partially lower the front subframe to gain clearance for the front strut assemblies. I know it's kinda tight.
The rears are a multilink setup, so the springs should not need to be removed or compressed; the shocks simply unbolt.
Out of curiosity, why would you do struts at your mileage? Are you doing lowering springs or sport suspension? There is a substantial difference between removing the calipers to replace the brakes and removing the strut assemblies to do struts. It's a lot more work to do the latter. You are talking a couple of hours versus up to a full day if you run into rusty bolts.
#10
RE: Shocks and Struts?
Yeah I was curious as to why you wanted to do this as well? Brake rotors and pads and painting them are one story but to take the entire suspension apart is a whole other can of worms...If you have some bad suspension it'd be worth it but if theres no problem I wouldn't change all of that up...its not that hard to jack the car up and take 5 lug nuts and the wheel off when you do have to change the suspension...
#11
RE: Shocks and Struts?
thats because you have the sport, if you had that mooshy suspension that i had you would know why its necessary! its totally worth upgrading the shocks if you have a non sport x, trust me as someone who's done it. the shocks are damn well worth the effort and money.
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#16
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RE: Shocks and Struts?
sorry for teh late response, I was out of town...
Anyway, yeah, I hate that side-to-side sway I get from teh stock setup. Since I don't have the sport package I wanted to tighten things up a bit. I also figure since I'm putting on the 18's that the tighter suspension would make sure I don't rub if I'm on a nasty road (like they all are in Baltimore where I work)!
Thanks for all teh help. I might get into it next weekend if I've figured out the wheels and tires by then...
Anyway, yeah, I hate that side-to-side sway I get from teh stock setup. Since I don't have the sport package I wanted to tighten things up a bit. I also figure since I'm putting on the 18's that the tighter suspension would make sure I don't rub if I'm on a nasty road (like they all are in Baltimore where I work)!
Thanks for all teh help. I might get into it next weekend if I've figured out the wheels and tires by then...
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#18
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RE: Shocks and Struts?
ok. I didn't spend a lot of time this weekend on it, but I did manage to complete the rear left side. New shock, rotor, pads and painted the caliper. The biggest biotch was getting the wheel off. It was stuck on that sleeve on the hub pretty good. Anyway, ordered the new rims and tires too. They should be in by the end of the week. Here's a pic of teh wheels...
#20
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RE: Shocks and Struts?
Lol.....Hey Modell
Post your pics somewhere first ........I use photobucket
Add all the pics you would like to use there
Then simply click on the add image icon ( top right yellow button)
go to photobucket and click on the url of the pic you want to show then paste into the add image section
Job done
JC