shock/strut install...

[DAS BOOT]

So replaced shocks/struts on my car... got a deal on some new Bilstiens for $275 shipped.(cheapest I found was $335 shipped)


1st off night and day difference, guess I was right when I said they were bad, I had some people trying to convince me they should be fine, but yeah, they were wrong.

I attributed some of my recent suspension troubles to my bad shocks, and aggresive driving(snapped, torque arm clamshell bolt, snapped, panhard rod bolt, I think both do to the severe nose dive my car would take do to bad shocks and heavy breaking, my air dam occasionally scrapped under crazy braking)

Either way, straight and simple, rears were a joke as usual, most the time was undoing the interior to get to the upper shock mounts.

Fronts, this was my first time doing them, it was easy, but I had a HELL of a time with a autozone rented spring compressor. Thing sucked. I had a hard time getting it on and off the springs, must have spent an 1-1.5 hours just getting them on and off. Not even tightening them to compress it. The nubs that held the coils were too big.

Either way here are the writeups that make everything easy.
Front http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=6
Rear http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=6


Tips...

I did the front without removing, the balljoint, ABS sensor, or caliper. I have seen guides that say you should do this, I disagree. Just keep an eye on the brake lines and push the spindle inwards to take pressure off the line, if you drop the arm all the way down to mount the strut assembly.

avoid autozone rent-a-spring compressor... I used the same one in the pics.


If I did it again, I woudl give this thing a whirl
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43753

[DAS BOOT]

Re: shock/strut install...

Like I said car is a new beast, ALOT of the rattles disapeared. Car handles alot better and rides alot better.

I can definitely see my tires are a low point of my car(runnign some used yokohamas that were near new that I got on wheels for $200)

Car is more prone to oversteer then before, but been fun the last few days, not sure if I will keep it as is... I am runnin 30/19mm sways. Poly endlinks on front sway. I am looking around for a bigger front sway, and might swap my rear springs with a z28.


My stockers had 68k on them, and rough life(dozen or so autocrosses, roadrace, and aggressive cornering in daily driving)

[hockeyman]

Re: shock/strut install...

If I did it again, I woudl give this thing a whirl
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43753

I bought one of those from Ebay back in the summer for $28 shipped. They (ebay sellers) called it a "Clamshell Spring Compressor". Haven't used it yet, but I'll be installing Bilstein's soon and I'll definately use that compressor.

[V6Bob]

Re: shock/strut install...

My advice is to forget the spring compressor.

Take your old shocks with springs attached and your new shocks to a shop. Walk out with springs attached to new shocks.

The cost is small, especially considering the savings in time and effort.

[DAS BOOT]

Re: shock/strut install...

My advice is to forget the spring compressor.

Take your old shocks with springs attached and your new shocks to a shop. Walk out with springs attached to new shocks.

The cost is small, especially considering the savings in time and effort.

I thought about just paying someone to do it all... local f-body guy in a shop does spring/shock swaps for $200 which isn't that bad.

but the problem is I work and go to school, so 90% of my working on my car is late, like 9pm-2am. and I usually need my car daily.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: shock/strut install...

My advice is to forget the spring compressor.

Take your old shocks with springs attached and your new shocks to a shop. Walk out with springs attached to new shocks.

The cost is small, especially considering the savings in time and effort.

I had to find that out on my own. :( But i will know for next time! :P I will never use a compresser again, I went back with z28 springs, god dam those were a ***** to compresser, my finger were full of cuts and metal shavings. I was out side yelling resist you *****...lol...our neighbor who always comes over when he see a hood up was sitting back drinking beer watching, and laughing.