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Did a "new" susp. install last night

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Old Aug 29, 2002 | 05:50 AM
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Did a "new" susp. install last night

Of course, this was on a car that had never been taken apart, 1997 GLE. It was...interesting. It took forever, and I've done a lot of work on Max suspensions. We broke a bunch of tools in the process as well, resulting in me getting a Sears card lol.

Anyway, on AGX, the Progress springs were king of a pain to install. They didn't want to compress or perch as easily as H&R or B&G...it took a long time to get the old stuff apart as well (yech OEM setup).

Oh well...after a bajillion hours, the install was done (I might also add that it was dark out, which sucked). I hope he is happy with the ride. Had him test it around the apartment complex briefly, but I am hoping he likes the ride now. On 18" wheels, I have no idea what the ride is like.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 06:18 AM
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you must be totally spent. I think it takes 200 million calories to do a suspension job.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 06:41 AM
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Thats my girl!

I can't believe you didn't take that car for a ride when you finished the work. Thats the best part of the job!
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 07:30 AM
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not my car! I didn't eat dinner as a result (started at like 6:30-7pm, took an hour to replace broken tools, then worked in the dark with one light and some maglights until like 11:30).

Anyhoo, I hope he likes it.

My fingers hurt from coil wrap and fighting with old PC's at work. I wanna go home!
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 07:32 AM
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oh yeah and progress light teal looks trippy with AGX red.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 07:36 AM
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Times like that make me LOVE having a lift and air tools.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 07:40 AM
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Originally posted by VolkRacingMaxima
Times like that make me LOVE having a lift and air tools.
boo. sorry I'm not rich. no pun intended.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 08:03 AM
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I don't think i'll ever do suspension work again w/o air tools. Not worth it
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 08:13 AM
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i second that one....

Air tools a definite must for suspension work...a lift would be ultra nice. Good job though...you did it in a reasonable amount of time, with okay tools, and in the dark. Imagine how fast you would be with the right set up and lighting. We should have a suspension contest at the next big meet. Two man lowering job competition
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 08:47 AM
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ehm...Tom and I swapped our springs in like 2.75 hours...that's 2 suspensions (minus retrieving the parts from the old shocks/struts). It's much easier when the suspension has been taken apart before. It's just tough when everything is old and crusty.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 09:26 AM
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Originally posted by Lime
not my car! I didn't eat dinner as a result (started at like 6:30-7pm, took an hour to replace broken tools, then worked in the dark with one light and some maglights until like 11:30).

Anyhoo, I hope he likes it.

My fingers hurt from coil wrap and fighting with old PC's at work. I wanna go home!
sounds pretty much like mine, the first time i took the suspension apart. 2nd time is definatly easier though. thank GOD sears exists.... i broke SOOOO many tools on my front passenger side, haha
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 09:46 AM
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heh I've taken my own personal suspension apart in various aspects about 6 times.

I changed Deezo's front strut mount bearings (you have to take the entire fronts apart), Tom and I swapped springs, and now Alex's suspension. That's a lotta times lol.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 09:56 AM
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You dont need air tools to do suspension work I just use a breaker bar and a piece of fence pipe to do the hard work for me. the 3ton Jack does wonders!!!thats it. Took me 3 1/2 hours. I also take a short cut, to remove the springs....never mind if any is interested one day I should just make a vid or show how I do it. alot of folks may disapprove but it is very fast and effective!!! one of my boyz at the shop brag about it so thats what I do too!!!

Lime sorry to hear your in a world of hurt I feel you!! I felt very sore 3 weeks ago doing AGX/HRs on this guys car!!!woke up so sore it was not even funny.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 10:02 AM
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what's an air tool?
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 10:17 AM
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Originally posted by Lime
heh I've taken my own personal suspension apart in various aspects about 6 times.

I changed Deezo's front strut mount bearings (you have to take the entire fronts apart), Tom and I swapped springs, and now Alex's suspension. That's a lotta times lol.
Your catching up to me with experiance!

Tom
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 10:29 AM
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Originally posted by meccanoble
what's an air tool?

you must be trying to be funny right , Ill tell you just in case your not!! a impact wrench thats powered by an air compressor, any tool thats driven by air pressure!!it doesnt have to be a impact wrench, can be a buffer etc...
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 01:31 PM
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Hey all, getting ready to do this myself.

Are the rears SUPER easy? I took my spring and struts off of a wrecked maxima and the front end was almost completely apart already. I took the rears off and it was CAKE. The springs are already on the rear springs, one spring is on one front strut, but the fourth is not. Do you have to remove drive shafts to remove the front strut assembly? Haven's searched yet, but I will now. I want to see apic of the front with strut assembly off.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 01:31 PM
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Re: Did a "new" susp. install last night

Originally posted by Lime
Anyway, on AGX, the Progress springs were king of a pain to install. They didn't want to compress or perch as easily as H&R or B&G...it took a long time to get the old stuff apart as well (yech OEM setup).
****, I'm gonna install my progress/AGX tomorrow. could you explain a little bit more about how not compress easily? thank you.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 03:02 PM
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Originally posted by fst96se
Hey all, getting ready to do this myself.

Are the rears SUPER easy?
They're pretty easy, yah. Everything is just time consuming.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 03:05 PM
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Re: Re: Did a "new" susp. install last night

Originally posted by syc


****, I'm gonna install my progress/AGX tomorrow. could you explain a little bit more about how not compress easily? thank you.
The backs are pretty tight; hard to get the compressors on, so if you're big and strong, try manually compressing.... The fronts have to be compressed a LOT in order to line up with the top "hat" section and the strut piston.
Old Aug 29, 2002 | 03:40 PM
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Re: Re: Re: Did a "new" susp. install last night

Originally posted by Lime


The backs are pretty tight; hard to get the compressors on, so if you're big and strong, try manually compressing.... The fronts have to be compressed a LOT in order to line up with the top "hat" section and the strut piston.
thank you. about the rear, I think I'll know what you tring to say while installing the spring tomorrow. I'm not big and strong.
Old Aug 30, 2002 | 06:59 AM
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Put the rears on lastnight, it was cake! No compressor needed. Hopefuly the fronts go on as easy today. Looks great!
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