I got my H&R springs an d want to do it all myself since labor is a pretty penny. I went in the install and how to's section and got that info but my concern is do I wait for them to settle before an alignment. people say two weeks. If so I can do that since have other mode of transport where it can sit in garage so I don't ruin my tires. I plan just to take them off myself with some help form friends and then take to a shop and have them compress and put new springs on. If there is anything else I need to know please help.

 

I put the H&R sports on my 2k with stock everything... let me tell you this is a pain in the A$$. Pay someone... Make sure the top is seated correctly and be careful. Note: I took my max to a dealership where a friend works to have the alignment done, but everything was in check! G/L

 

I don't think 2 weeks of driving with no alignment will kill your tires. I have gone almost 1 week since my drop. I sometimes wonder if I need an alignment at all. My car drives in a straigh line and the camber looks good. I will be getting an alignment soon just in case.

 

But a shop want's $300.00. That's more then what I payed for them.

 

It is really not that tough of a job if you have someone to help. Air wrenches would help alot as well. If you don't have that or friends that do, you might want to pay a shop.

 

I have done this job 7-8 times between me second guessing my setup and other maxes. While I have gotten better each time, one thing remains, air tools will make your life a lot easier! I am not sure I would even want to do it without them.

 

I would not worry about the alignment. You will be fine

 

My brother and I did my springs, it took about 4 hours, but, we took our time, as people have said, it really is not that big of a job (certainly not a $300 job thats for sure). Make sure you have a spring compressor. When I took it in to get it aligned, they said that it was only off bt .001!!!, this was maxspeeds btw.

 

I will porbably end up doing it myself with the help of friends.

 

Do it yourself. Make sure you line up the rear springs before you install them, top hat to bottom. Get an alignment, your toe will be out 20 or so degrees.

 

I just installed Maxspeeds with GR2s on my 97 GXE. I did it all myself and it was hard work, but worth it. Overall it took me 7 hours. 5 for the fronts and 2 for the rears. This is having never done any suspension work before, so I had to kinda figure things out as I went along.

Midas said it would cost me $410 and no one else in town was willing to install springs/struts that they weren't supplying.

I borrowed spring compressors from autozone ($40 refundable deposit)
I don't have air tools so it was very manual work - especially with a 12" handle on my ratchet.
I have an 18" breaker bar and a Torque wrench which I used.
On the rears, you kinda have to line up the assembled strut/spring with the holes, then uncompress the spring. Found that out the hard way.

I'm going to go to Firestone to get a lifetime alignment - I think it's about $150. Seems like a better idea than paying $50 per alignment, seeing as I plan to get new wheels at some point.

 

I also just got my H&R's today. Question: do I have to cut the bumpstops when installing these? The instructions had a list of cars that should have them cut but the Max wasn't one of them. I thought I remembered some members cut them but the search function is down.

Btw, I'm staying with the stock shocks for now (2k3 with only 3k miles so they should last for a while - I hope).

 

no cutting necessary. alignment optional...air tool a must...couple of friends and a 12pk wouldent hurt.

 

Yea I found that nobody will do it for below $300 so I am going to do it myself as soon as I can get some air tools. Here's a stupid question but cann somebody tell me where to place my jack stands I am have trouble finding a place to put them.

 

For 300, you can buy a aircompressor, with an air impact wrench plus a few extras. Then the job will take 4-5 hours max.

 

You need to call more than one place, try to bargain your way down. Maybe mention that if they cut you a deal and they do a good job, you will have your next mod installed there. Thats what I did. Couldn't hurt... Good luck.