DIY Strut/Spring Install and Brake Install
06-30-2003, 05:18 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 120
DIY Strut/Spring Install and Brake Install
I'm on a tight budget, and my car needs new brakes soon. After 81K miles I'm thinking it's also time for some new struts/springs. I have heard that it costs $200 in labor for the struts, so that's getting pricey for me. I figure if I am replacing them I might as well go for aftermarket, I've heard good things about the Illuminas and H&R's.
So my question is, who on the forum has done this themselves? I've heard that a spring compressor is necessary, but how necessary is it? Would it be possible for two fairly strong guys to do it?
My other question is about stainless steel brake lines. I hate the "mushy" feel of my brakes, so I figure while I do the brakes I might get those. How much are they? I've heard they're pretty easy to install. The only ones I have found are on TireRack and they're $120 (GoodRidge), way too rich for my blood.
Thanks
So my question is, who on the forum has done this themselves? I've heard that a spring compressor is necessary, but how necessary is it? Would it be possible for two fairly strong guys to do it?
My other question is about stainless steel brake lines. I hate the "mushy" feel of my brakes, so I figure while I do the brakes I might get those. How much are they? I've heard they're pretty easy to install. The only ones I have found are on TireRack and they're $120 (GoodRidge), way too rich for my blood.
Thanks
07-01-2003, 09:13 PM
#4
i hate seeing people waste money on simple things...just because they don't know whats actually involved
seriously, go to a couple suspension installation sites...and you'll see that the job is very easy...and will take about 4-5 hours for one person to do for the first time. after that it takes about 3-3.5 hours.
its really not as hard as it sounds
a spring compressor is necessary especially when putting the new springs back on (i installed ground controls so i didn't need them).
its as simple as this:
for the front: 2 lower bolts, 3 upper strut bolts
for the rear: one lower bolt, 2 upper strut bolts
compress the spring, loosen the screw holding the spring, compress the new spring, put it and all the other stock parts back in, tighting the screw holding the spring.
seriously, go to a couple suspension installation sites...and you'll see that the job is very easy...and will take about 4-5 hours for one person to do for the first time. after that it takes about 3-3.5 hours.
its really not as hard as it sounds
a spring compressor is necessary especially when putting the new springs back on (i installed ground controls so i didn't need them).
its as simple as this:
for the front: 2 lower bolts, 3 upper strut bolts
for the rear: one lower bolt, 2 upper strut bolts
compress the spring, loosen the screw holding the spring, compress the new spring, put it and all the other stock parts back in, tighting the screw holding the spring.
07-01-2003, 10:59 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 120
Thanks man, I didn't think it was too hard. I'm fairly handy and I knew it was basically just a few nuts, I just never played around with the springs. Where can a dude rent a spring compressor? I'm from Long Island, close to Queens.. local info would be appreciated. Do most auto shops have them for rent? What about Home Depot? Thanks
07-21-2003, 06:31 PM
#12
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
If i lived near ny i drive to have him work on my car.
Which i may do if i cant fix my rough idle soon.
hey nj, what shop you work for?
07-21-2003, 07:56 PM
#13
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Originally posted by WOODYMAX98
Does anyone have detailed instructions for this? I am going to try and do this next weekend. With GR-2 and H&R. Any pointers?
Does anyone have detailed instructions for this? I am going to try and do this next weekend. With GR-2 and H&R. Any pointers?
Any reason you chose H&R over Progress? I've decided to get GR2 vs. AGX but was planning to get Progress springs...
07-22-2003, 05:14 AM
#17
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
07-22-2003, 05:25 AM
#18
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Originally posted by bobjohnson
Id DO THIS MAN. At that price id Pay Him to Do the job right the first time. this guy has credentials around here so that 100 bones hes offering is quite a "damn" good deal.
If i lived near ny i drive to have him work on my car.
Which i may do if i cant fix my rough idle soon.
hey nj, what shop you work for?
Id DO THIS MAN. At that price id Pay Him to Do the job right the first time. this guy has credentials around here so that 100 bones hes offering is quite a "damn" good deal.
If i lived near ny i drive to have him work on my car.
Which i may do if i cant fix my rough idle soon.
hey nj, what shop you work for?
545 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-398-1512
It's my brothers shop. I'll be taking the position of Assistant Manager of the place in mid August.
07-22-2003, 07:00 AM
#19
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Proline Body & Chassis
545 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-398-1512
It's my brothers shop. I'll be taking the position of Assistant Manager of the place in mid August.
Proline Body & Chassis
545 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-398-1512
It's my brothers shop. I'll be taking the position of Assistant Manager of the place in mid August.
07-22-2003, 09:57 AM
#21
A buddy and i just replaced my stock springs to progress this past weekend. I knew nothing about it and hes lowered a few cars. It was pretty easy i must say. I think i could do it myself if needed to. I do wish i replaced my strut boots while i had the operatunity b/c the factory ones are all broke and stuff. Kinda quickly this is what we did:
Jack up car, take wheels off.
On front end: Near brakes,take off the bolts that hold strut 17mm i think. take off 3bolts that hold strut under hood. Undo the silver clip thing and unclip the hose from near the brakes, take strut/spring combo out.
Rear: pull back the trunk liner near back seat, undo 3 small bolts.
Undo bolts near brakes that hold the strut. Pull out strut/spring combo.
To remove the spring from the strut: Compress spring, take bolt out of the top of the spring. Pull strut out. Uncompress. Do to all 4.
Then put it all back together. I kept stock struts w/ my progress springs.
Just make sure the spring sits exactly how the stock one did b/c there is a lil groove the end of the spring should rest in.
Sorry if thats vauge. I should of writtin it down while i was doing it. BTW i have a 99se if that makes a dif?
Jack up car, take wheels off.
On front end: Near brakes,take off the bolts that hold strut 17mm i think. take off 3bolts that hold strut under hood. Undo the silver clip thing and unclip the hose from near the brakes, take strut/spring combo out.
Rear: pull back the trunk liner near back seat, undo 3 small bolts.
Undo bolts near brakes that hold the strut. Pull out strut/spring combo.
To remove the spring from the strut: Compress spring, take bolt out of the top of the spring. Pull strut out. Uncompress. Do to all 4.
Then put it all back together. I kept stock struts w/ my progress springs.
Just make sure the spring sits exactly how the stock one did b/c there is a lil groove the end of the spring should rest in.
Sorry if thats vauge. I should of writtin it down while i was doing it. BTW i have a 99se if that makes a dif?
07-22-2003, 10:56 AM
#22
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Originally posted by ohannon7
Kinda quickly this is what we did:
Kinda quickly this is what we did:
Good idea on the boots, too. The boots on my '95 were just hanging in shreds so I cut them off, will replace when I redo my suspension.
07-22-2003, 11:55 AM
#24
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Originally posted by MaxWolf
is it official?
is it official?
Originally posted by markargente
njmax, would you guys also replace the bolts on my cat if i came by? So it would be 100 total for spring and struts? Also, how far from piscataway is the place? Im getting my springs and struts shortly. Thanks
njmax, would you guys also replace the bolts on my cat if i came by? So it would be 100 total for spring and struts? Also, how far from piscataway is the place? Im getting my springs and struts shortly. Thanks
Originally posted by HuliganRS
I would suggest an alignment after this job.
I would suggest an alignment after this job.
07-22-2003, 12:30 PM
#25
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
It sure is, check the OT forum for my Resignation thread.
You don't need to replace any bolts unless you strip or damage the threads. Check mapquest for the distance and directions, were right off Rt80. $100 includes everything.
You must have your alignment reset after any suspension work is done.
It sure is, check the OT forum for my Resignation thread.
You don't need to replace any bolts unless you strip or damage the threads. Check mapquest for the distance and directions, were right off Rt80. $100 includes everything.
You must have your alignment reset after any suspension work is done.
Can you estimate how much i should pay for an alignment. And would you suggest going to a local mechanic, or a pepboys type place, or the dealership?
I just lowered my car Friday and it does pull a lil to the left
07-22-2003, 01:21 PM
#27
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
Drive over the GW bridge about 15 minutes into New Jersey and I'll install your suspension for $100 bucks in about 1 & 1/2 hours while you wait.
07-22-2003, 01:56 PM
#28
Does the install include dust boots and or bearings?
Can you also do the bushings?
In the case of springs/struts/bushings/boots, should an alignment be done right away, or let it settle for a week?
Can you also do the bushings?
In the case of springs/struts/bushings/boots, should an alignment be done right away, or let it settle for a week?
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
You must have your alignment reset after any suspension work is done.
You must have your alignment reset after any suspension work is done.
07-22-2003, 08:04 PM
#29
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You have to supply the dust boots and new bearing if you want. If you reuse your old bearings I'll take them apart and regrease them for you. I will install the sway bar end link bushings for you as well. Again, you supply the bushings.
You can wait a week or you can do it immediately. I usually get my car aligned the day after I change my suspension.
You can wait a week or you can do it immediately. I usually get my car aligned the day after I change my suspension.
07-23-2003, 01:02 PM
#32
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
your bearings should be ok, but I'd take them apart and regrease them if you take your suspension apart.
your bearings should be ok, but I'd take them apart and regrease them if you take your suspension apart.
07-23-2003, 01:14 PM
#33
Originally posted by njmaxseltd
your bearings should be ok, but I'd take them apart and regrease them if you take your suspension apart.
your bearings should be ok, but I'd take them apart and regrease them if you take your suspension apart.
07-23-2003, 06:41 PM
#34
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 331
I just installed my two fornt struts in about 3 hours. I have never done anything like this before and it was not very hard. I rent spring compressors for like 8 dollars. I have two question before I put in the rears. How do the rear strut mounts go in? The little 1 inch things from KYB that are around 5 bucks. Are the fronts hard than the backs to put in? I will post pics when im done. Thanks
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